Bangkok--20 Nov--SET Listed companies on The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) posted 9M/2007 profits of THB 319,013 million (about USD 9.38 billion) and total sales of THB 4.22 trillion (about USD 124.08 billion). About 79% of firms recorded profits. The top three most profitable industry groups were, in descending order, Resources, Property and Construction, and Industrials. The top five most profitable firms in declining order of profitability were PTT PCL (PTT), Siam Cement PCL (SCC), PTT Exploration and Production PCL (PTTEP), Bangkok Bank PCL (BBL) and Thai Oil PCL (TOP). Most SET-listed firms--465 out of 491, including property funds and companies in the non-compliance and non-performing groups-- have submitted their financial statements for 9M/2007. Recorded net profits represented a drop of 15% on the same period last year. Among the firms reporting their results, 366 companies posted profits, while the remaining 99 had net losses. The ratio of companies with net gains to those with losses is 79:21. They recorded an increase in sales for 9M/2007 of 5% over 9M/2006. In Q3/2007, they posted profits of THB 108,052 million, which was down 6% on the same period in 2006, while sales was recorded at THB 1.48 trillion, rising by 4%. “Profits for 9M/2007 declined due to banks’ and finance companies’ having to allocate reserves for doubtful debt as required by the Bank of Thailand (BOT). This was to comply with the IAS39 standard. The strengthening baht resulted in decreased exchange rate gains and there were reduced profits for listed companies from debt-restructuring.,” SET President Ms. Patareeya Benjapolchai noted. SET100 Index companies racked up THB 287,671 million in net profit, or 90% of the overall net profit of all listed firms. However, this was 11% lower than for 9M/2006. Total sales rose 6%, while the cost of sales also grew 6%. The strengthening baht narrowed exchange rate gains by 41%. SET50 Index firms earned THB 262,006 million in net profit, or 82% of the overall net profit of all listed companies. This represented a 15% decrease over 9M/2006. Total sales grew 5%, while the cost of sales rose 6%, and the gross margin rate declined from 21% to 20%. Listed firms in the eight industry groups (excluding companies in the non-compliance and non-performing groups) recorded increased sales, except for those in the consumer products group. In descending order of net profitability, the industry groups’ results are as follows: 1. Resources Industry Group (comprising the energy and utilities and mining sectors): This group’s combined net profit was THB 151,456 million, a 4% decrease over 9M/2006 2. Property and Construction Industry Group (consisting of the property development and construction materials sector, plus property funds): This group saw a net profit of THB 56,548 million, a rise of 17% over 9M/2006. 3. Industrials Industry Group (consisting of automotive, industrial materials and machinery, packaging, paper and printing materials, and petrochemicals and chemicals sectors): These firms posted a combined net profit of THB 28,360 million, a 6% decrease from 9M/2006. The group had an 8% and 9% increase in sales and costs of sales respectively, while exchange rate gains were reduced by 60%. 4. Financials Industry Group (consisting of the banking, finance and securities, and insurance sectors): This industry group saw net profit of THB 27,238 million, a 63% decrease on 9M/2006. Twelve companies in the banking sector posted a total of THB 17,539 million in net profit, down 73%. The decline was mainly due to the banks’ need to meet the BOT and IAS39 standard requirements for increased reserves for doubtful debts. Nineteen companies in the finance and securities sector (excluding hire-purchase and leasing companies) posted THB 3,981 million in profit, a 14% increase over 9M/2006 as they gained from a 22% rise in interest and dividend income. The insurance sector saw total net profits of THB 3,454 million, a 13% increase over 9M/2006. 5. Technology Industry Group (consisting of the information and communication technology, and electronic components sectors): This group’s combined net profits amounted to THB 25,534 million, a drop of 3% over 9M/2006. However, the electronic components sector saw 34% sales growth due to increased sales. 6. Services Industry Group (consisting of commerce, health care services, media and publishing, professional services, tourism and leisure, and transportation and logistics sectors): This group posted a combined net profit of THB 24,265 million, which was similar to 9M/2006. The group’s sales grew 10% while costs of sales rose 7%. The transportation and logistics sector enjoyed a 25% rise in profit, while the media and publishing sector reported 19% profit growth. 7. Agro and Food Industry Group (consisting of food and beverage and agribusiness sectors): This group recorded THB 6,981 million in net profits, which was a 29% drop from the same period in 2006. These sectors were hit by declining domestic sales prices and the higher costs of animal food raw materials due to the strengthening baht. 8. Consumer Products Industry Group (consisting of fashion, home and office products, and personal products and pharmaceuticals sectors): This group posted net profits of THB 2,251 million, or a 51% drop from 9M/2006, principally due to the fashion sector’s falling profits. For more information, please contact the Corporate Communications Dept.: Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036 / Sarinluck Jitkawong Tel: 0-2229-2037 / Nattaporn Boonprapa Tel: 0-2229-2049 / Watsamon Saowakhonsathien Tel: 0-2229-2797