Kaohoon’s Top News on August 2, 2021

– Thailand’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has extended quasi-lockdown measures for another 14 days, with the possibility of an extension until August 31, 2021 if the outbreak situation worsens. Also, the restrictions are extended to 16 other provinces. Analysts stated that telecommunications stocks, such as ADVANC, DTAC, JAS, and ALT, as well as real estate investment trusts (REITs), such as FTREIT and WHART, are safe from the pandemic due to Less holding by funds, less risk associated with selling and profiting. Additionally, they forecast the SET Index to fluctuate between 1,500 and 1,540 points today (August 2), warning investors to avoid sectors such as tourism, transportation and logistics, and retail.

– AMR Asia (AMR) will begin trading on the SET Index today, with the expectation that it will trade above its 6.90 baht initial public offering price. Mr. Marut Siriko, Managing Director of AMR, expects to receive a positive response, citing whole system solutions as a megatrend in accordance with Thailand’s infrastructure industry expansion. In 1Q21, the company reported a net profit of 29 million baht, a 263% increase over the previous year.

– Five Thai commercial banks are preparing to distribute a high-yielding dividend in the first half of 2021. Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) provides an interim dividend of 1.60 baht and a full-year dividend of 6.30 baht, yielding 6%. Bangkok Bank (BBL) offers a 1.93 baht interim dividend, Kasikornbank (KBANK) pays a 1.66 baht interim dividend, and Kiatnakin Phatra Bank (KKP) hands out a 1.24 baht interim dividend, yielding 9%.

– Ananda Development (ANAN) will appeal the Central Administrative Court’s withdrawal of the permit for the Ashton Asoke project’s construction to the Supreme Administrative Court. The Central Administrative Court’s decision, however, will not be final until the Supreme Administrative Court rules. As a result, ANAN reaffirmed that this incident will have no adverse effects or consequences for residents.

– Total Access Communication’s (DTAC) stock price gained 5.59% despite putting XD sign on July 30, 2021, amid concerns about a change in major shareholder. Investors are advised to monitor Telenor’s negotiations with TRUE or ADVANC over the sale of DTAC shares, as this may violate the monopoly laws. Analysts believe Telenor doesn’t really have to exit the Thai market.

– Thai Oil (TOP) will accelerate its financial restructuring in order to fund the acquisition of 15.38% of Indonesia-based PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Tbk (CAP), with a transaction valued at more than 39 billion baht. TOP intends to raise 10 billion baht through fundraising, with the proceeds going toward the sale of a 10.8 % stake in Global Power Synergy (GPSC), valued at 20 billion baht. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2022.