Kaohoon’s Top News on August 24, 2021

– Banking and non-banking stocks soared in response to the Bank of Thailand’s new measures aimed at easing the burden, with Krung Thai Bank (KTB) leading the charge with an 18% gain, followed by TMBThanachart Bank (TTB) and Bangkok Bank (BBL) with 15% gains each and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) with a 12% gain. 

BOT agreed to reduce the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) to 0.23% from 0.46% until the end of 2022 and relaxed soft loan criteria for debtors who never had a credit line and also set a higher ceiling for credit card and personal loans. 

This revised policy directory benefits Krungthai Card (KTC), Aeon Thana Sinsap (Thailand) (AEONTS) and Srisawad Corporation (SAWAD), both of whose core business is providing credit and debit card services.

– Global Power Synergy (GPSC) will begin recognizing an Indian solar power farm, enabling the company to achieve a sustainable profitability in 3Q21. While the Xayaburi hydropower plant in Lao PDR is in its peak season, the company anticipates revenue to offset higher gas and coal expenses during this period.

– As the Covid-19 outbreak is projected to subside gradually to boost city reopening plays, Asia Plus Securities has given a “BUY” recommendation on 19 lagging stocks with strong fundamentals and high upside, such as Aeon Thana Sinsap (Thailand) (AEONTS) with 56% upside, Ratch Group (RATCH) with 46.10% upside, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) with 43.30% upside, RS with 39% upside, PTT with 38.60% upside and PYLON with 38% upside. 

– PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) appointed Mr. Montri Rawanchaikul, President, to be Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of the company in replacement of Mr. Phongsthorn Thavisin, which will be effective from October 1, 2021 onwards. Meanwhile, PTTEP’s subsidiary AI & Robotics Ventures (ARV) has officially partnered with RotoTech to introduce the world’s first vertical pipe inspection and maintenance robot.

– WHA Corporation (WHA) expects to deliver a brighter outlook in the second half of this year, owing to the strength of the company’s four core businesses and a plan to accelerate the sale of its assets valued at more than 5,500 million baht to WHA Premium Growth Freehold and Leasehold REIT (WHART) in 4Q21.

– Kaohoon Turakij has screened for dividend-paying stocks that are scheduled to post the XD sign on August 25, 2021, including Phol Dhanya (PHOL) (Div 0.16 baht, Yield 3.36%), Ziga Innovation (ZIGA) (Div 0.13 baht, Yield 2.45%) and A.J. Plast (AJ) (Div 0.40 baht, Yield 2.06%).