Bangkok--22 Aug--SET
- First-half net profit of firms on Thai alternative bourse up 50 pct year-on-year
- Sales up 32 pct y-o-y; gross profit margins keep at 21 pct
- Energy, petrochemicals drive up mai’s profits
Companies listed on the Market for Alternative Investment (mai), under The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) group, reported a 49.2 percent increase in net profit to THB 1.89 billion (approx. USD 63 million) in the first six months of 2011, mainly boosted by stronger earnings of energy and petrochemicals sectors.
The 68 mai-listed companies also posted a 31.8 percent rise in sales to THB 34.92 billion with gross profit margins keeping at 20.6 percent at the end of June, said mai President Chanitr Charnchainarong.
“Companies still showed good performance in this period, particularly in energy and petrochemicals, underpinned by higher selling prices and business expansion both in domestic and overseas markets,” Chanitr said.
“This period also proves the strength of Thailand’s small and medium-sized firms, with an unprecedented number of firms paying interim dividends,” he said, adding that 21 firms paid dividends worth a combined THB 474 million as cash and dividend stocks. Previously, since the mai was launched, fewer than 10 firms have paid interim dividends.
Ten of the mai’s total firms have more than doubled their net profits in the first half over a year ago. These firms are Asia Green Energy plc (AGE), Energy Earth plc (EARTH), Interlink Communication plc (ILINK), Lighting & Equipment plc (L&E), Pico Thailand plc (PICO), Pylon plc (Pylon), Salee Colour plc (COLOR), Union Intraco plc (UIC), Union Petrochemical plc (UKEM), and Yuasa Battery (Thailand) plc (YUASA).
By quarter, companies reported a net profit of THB 835 million, up 21.3 percent from a year earlier, and sales rose 41.2 percent to THB 18.6 billion.
Currently, there are 70 mai-listed firms. As of August 18, 2011, the mai index closed at 307.05 points, with a total market capitalization of THB 82.5 billion (USD 2.75 billion). For more information of mai listed firms’ financial statement, please visit www.set.or.th and www.settrade.com or call S-E-T Call Center at 0-2229-222
Notes to editors:
About the Market for Alternative Investment (mai):
The Market for Alternative Investment (mai) is an alternative stock market for small and medium sized enterprises which was established by The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in 1998. It commenced operation on June 21, 1999. Listing on the mai is a key step in the firm’s progress, helping bring the company up to international standards, strengthening its competitiveness, boosting its image and credibility, improving staff morale, and enabling the firm to attract and retain top-quality employees. As of August 18, 2011, there are 70 firms listed on mai, with a total market capitalization of THB 82.5 billion (USD 2.75 billion).