Bangkok--22 May--SET 48 listed companies on the Market for Alternative Investment (mai) reported a combined THB 10.44 billion (about USD325.3 million) earnings in the first quarter of 2008. This sum is 13% higher than in the first quarter of 2007. The combined net profit of THB749 million (about USD23.3 million) represents an increase of 81%. ACAP Advisory PCL (ACAP) shines with an outstanding growth of 2,129%, followed by Thai Ha PCL (KASET) of 1,211% increase and Master Ad PCL (MACO) of 858% rise. Mr. Chanitr Charnchainarong, mai president, revealed that, as of March 31, 48 mai-listed firms reported a combined net profit of THB749 million (about USD23.3 million), which is THB414 million (about USD12.9 million) higher than in the same period of last year, an increase of 81%. In addition, 10 mai-listed firms’ net profits grew more than 100%. The combined earnings of all these companies amounted THB10.44 billion (about USD325.3 million), which is an increase of 13% over the same period in 2007, when the total earnings were THB9.21 billion (about USD287 million). Mr. Chanitr stated that the top-three companies with the highest profit growth were ACAP Advisory PCL (ACAP), which posted a net profit growth of 2,129%, followed by Thai Ha PCL (KASET) with a 1,211% profit growth and Master Ad PCL (MACO) with a 858% profit growth, respectively. The top-three firms listed on mai recording the biggest net profit were Unique Mining Services PCL (UMS), with THB138 million (about USD4.3 million) net profit, followed by ACAP Advisory PCL (ACAP) with THB79 million (about USD2.4 million) and Goldfine Manufacturers PCL (GFM) with THB70 million (about USD2.2 million). “The earnings of all mai-listed companies for Q1/2008 showed that, generally, the companies listed on mai possess strong fundamentals and could still expand amid an economic and the state investment slowdown. The industries that have shown growth potentials include Financial Services, the Trading and the Manufacturing Business. However, there were some industry Businesses that have been affected by the negative economic conditions. These include companies in the Media & Services and the Information Technology & Communications Business”, said Mr.Chanitr. Currently, there are 49 companies listed on mai, with a total market capitalization of THB 39.42 million (about USD1.23 billion). The mai Index closed at 285.16 on May 20, 2008, an increase of 5% from the beginning of the year. More information on listed companies’ performance can be found at www.mai.or.th. Interested persons are invited to apply for a free email update on mai by contacting [email protected] or calling SET Call Center on 0-2229-2222.