SET Jumps 9pts. Right Off the Bat after MPC Votes to Reduce Policy Rate by 0.25%!!

On August 7, 2019, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted 5 to 2 to reduce the policy rate by 0.25 percentage point from 1.75 to 1.50%, effective immediately. In the voting, two members voted to maintain the policy rate at 1.75%.

In deliberating their policy decision, the Committee assessed that the Thai economy would expand at a lower rate than previously assessed due to a contraction in merchandise exports, which started to affect domestic demand. Inflation was projected to be lower than the lower bound of the target.

Overall financial conditions remained accommodative. Financial stability risks had already been addressed to some extent, although there remained pockets of risks that warranted monitoring. A more accommodative monetary policy stance would contribute to the continuation of economic growth and should support the rise of headline inflation toward target.

 

SET gained 3.31 points in an instant after the market opened in the afternoon session, then gained 9 points in total by 14:42.