Bangkok--22 May--SET Listed companies on The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) posted their Q1/2008 profits at THB 152.38 billion (about USD 4.73 billion) and total sales at THB 1.777 trillion (about USD 55.21 billion). The top three most profitable industry groups were, in descending order, Resources, Financials, and Services. The top five most profitable firms in declining order were PTT PCL (PTT), PTT Exploration and Production PCL (PTTEP), Siam Cement PCL (SCC), The Siam Commercial Bank PCL( SCB), and PTT Chemical PCL (PTTCH) Mrs. Nongram Wongwanich, SET Executive Vice President, revealed that as for the first quarter of 2008, which ended on March 31, 2008, 455 out of 494 SET-listed companies, including property funds, companies in the non-compliance and non-performing groups, have shown a combined net profit totaled THB152.38 billion (about USD4.73 billion), which is 33% more than the same period in 2007. Among those submitted the reports, 384 companies posted a combined net profit, while 71 companies reported net losses, making it an 85:15 ratio. Meanwhile, their total sales amounted THB1.777 trillion (about USD55.21 billion), or 32% higher than the same period of the previous year. “The overall earnings reports by listed firms for Q1/2008 showed an increase in both net profits and sales, due to gains from exchange rates and the increase of total sales.,” said Mrs. Nongram. SET100 Index companies, racked up THB128.78 billion (about USD3.99 billion) in net profit, which is a 25% increase due to a 54% rise in gains from foreign exchange rates. The total sales also rose 37%. Meanwhile, SET50 companies have altogether recorded the total net profits of THB118.71 billion (about USD3.68 billion), or 22% higher than the same period last year, with the total sales that has increased 40%. The top five most profitable stocks were PTT PCL (PTT), PTT Exploration and Production PCL (PTTEP), Siam Cement PCL (SCC), Siam Commercial Bank PCL (SCB) and PTT Chemical PCL (PTTCH). The 465 listed firms in the eight industry groups (excluding companies in the non-compliance and non-performing groups) saw total net profit of THB152.18 billion, or 30% higher than the same period last year. In descending order of net profitability, the industry groups’ results are as follows: 1. Resources Industry Group: (consisting of the energy and utilities and mining sectors) This group’s combined net profit was THB52.86 billion, an increase of 10% over Q1/2007. 2. Financials Industry Group: (consisting of the banking, finance and securities and insurance sectors) This industry group’s combined net profit was THB28.20 billion, a rise of 25% over Q1/2007. 3. 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 THB17.38 billion, an increase of 14% over Q1/2007. 4. Property and Construction Industry Group: (consisting of the property development and construction materials sectors, plus property funds) This industry group combined net profit was THB17.25 billion, a y-o-y increase of 14% 5. Technology Industry Group: (consisting of the information and communication technology and electronic components sectors) This group’s combined net profits amounted to THB16.68 billion, a rise of 155% over Q1/2007. 6. Industrials Industry Group: (consisting of the automotive, industrial materials and machinery, packaging, paper and printing materials and petrochemicals and chemicals sectors) These firms posted a combined net profit of THB13.14 billion, a y-o-y increase of 145% 7. Agro and Food Industry Group: (consisting of the food and beverage and agribusiness sectors) This group’s net profit was THB4.76 billion, a jump of 430% over Q1/2007. 8. Consumer Products Industry Group: (consisting of fashion, home and office products, personal products and pharmaceuticals sectors) This group posted net profit of THB1.90, a y-o-y increase of 34% For more information, please contact the Corporate Communications Dept.: Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036 / Sarinluck Jitkawong Tel: 0-2229-2037 / Watsamon Saowakhonsathien Tel: 0-2229-2797