Bangkok--7 Dec--SET Investment in fixed assets by Thai listed companies in Q3/2007 was THB 93 billion (approx. USD 2.74 billion), an increase of 11% over Q3/2006, according to the Corporate Update issue of SET Note, The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)’s research report. This was due to large-scale project investment by the Resources and the Property and Construction industry groups. In fundraising, the Financials group dominated with over THB 8 billion in funds raised. The Exchange’s Research and Information Division publishes SET Note Corporate Update on a quarterly basis. The Q3/2007 report revealed that listed firms on the Thai bourse (excluding those in the Financials and Non-Performing groups) produced returns on capital employed (ROCE) at 4.5%, an increase of 0.3% over the same period last year. There was a slight increase in their net profit margin from 6.7% to 6.9%, as interest expenses declined. Returns on equity (ROE) stood at 4.2%, a marginal fall of 0.1%. In Q3/2007, Thai public firms generally recorded lower financial risk, with the interest coverage ratio of 8.0, increasing 0.9 times. The Resources and the Property and Construction groups fixed asset investment rose by THB 4.7 and 1.6 billion - increases of 22.3% and 55.5% respectively. Thai public companies received over THB 130 billion cash inflow from operating activities, which was still short of cash received from financing activities and outflow through investment, which were about THB 160 billion. Listed firms raised around THB 16 billion in Q3/2007, a 64.6% decrease on Q3/2006. Of total funds raised, about 97.7% came from the secondary market, mainly through private placement (PP) of THB 8 billion. The initial public offerings (IPOs) of newly listed companies were worth THB 400 million. For more information on SET Note Corporate Update Q3/2007, please visit www.set.or.th/setresearch/setresearch.html 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