Bangkok--20 Aug--SET Listed companies on The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) posted their H1 /2008 profits at THB 312.86 billion (approx. USD 9.22 billion) and total sales at THB 3,797 billion (approx. USD 112 billion). The top three industry groups were, in descending order of profitability, Resources, Financials, Property and Construction. The top five firms, in descending order of profitability, were PTT, PTTEP, TOP, SCC and SCB. For H1/2008, 474 of 500 SET-listed companies, including property funds and firms in the non-compliance and non-performing groups, showed a combined net profit of THB 312.86. billion (approx. USD 9.22 billion), which is 48% more than for the same period in 2007. Among those which submitted their reports, 388 companies posted net profits, while 86 reported net losses - an 82:18 ratio. Meanwhile, their total profit for Q2/2008 was THB 157 billion (approx. USD 46.58 billion), or 62% higher than for the same period last year, SET President Patareeya Benjapolchai noted. SET100 Index companies racked up THB 252.56 billion in net profit, a 38% increase year-on-year (y-o-y),with total sales rising by 31%. Meanwhile, SET50 companies recorded total net profit of THB 233.78 billion, or a 42% rise y-o-y, with total sales climbing by 33%. The 453 listed firms in the eight industry groups (excluding companies in the non-compliance and non-performing groups) saw total net profit of THB 313.82 billion, a 46% increase y-o-y. In order of descending 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 THB 131.02 billion, an increase of 25% on H1/2007. 2. Financials Industry Group: (consisting of the banking, finance and securities and insurance sectors) This industry group’s combined net profit was THB 52.83 billion, a 316 % spike y-o-y. 3. Property and Construction Industry Group: (consisting of the property development and construction materials sectors, plus property funds) This industry group’s combined net profit was THB 36.38 billion, a y-o-y decrease of 8 %. 4. Industrials Industry Group: (consisting of the automotive, industrial materials and machinery, packaging, paper and printing materials and petrochemicals and chemicals sectors) These firms’ combined net profit was THB 31.47 billion, a y-o-y increase of 132%. 5. Technology Industry Group: (consisting of the information and communication technology and electronic components sectors) This group’s combined net profit amounted to THB 25.86 billion, a rise of 92% over H1/2007. 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 21.66 billion, an decrease of 6 % on H1/2007 7. Agro and Food Industry Group: (consisting of the food and beverage and agribusiness sectors) This group’s net profit was THB 10.67 billion, a jump of 164% on H1/2007. 8. Consumer Products Industry Group: (consisting of fashion, home and office products, personal products and pharmaceuticals sectors) This group posted a net profit of THB 3.93 billion, a y-o-y increase of 36 %. “Listed companies’ overall earnings reports for H1/2008 showed an increase in both net profits and sales, demonstrating the growth and sustainability of Thailand’s industrial sector,” Ms. Patareeya concluded. 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