Bangkok--2 Sep--SET Collectively, Thai listed companies invested more than THB 94 billion (approx. USD 2.74 billion) in total in Q2/2008, or 25.2% more than for the same quarter in 2007, in fixed assets, with the Resources Group recording the highest investment at THB 41 billion (approx. USD 1.19 billion). This information was revealed in The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)’s research report, SET Note corporate update. Also in Q2/2008, these firms (excluding those in the Financials and Non-Performing Groups) collectively demonstrated improved efficiency, with their average return on capital employed (ROCE) increasing to 5% from 4.4% for the same period last year. The companies’ collective return on equity (ROE) in Q2/2008 was 4.6%, the same as in Q2//2007. Net profit in Q2/2008 decreased to 6.6% from 8.2% in the comparable quarter of 2007, with the Resources Group posting the highest Q2/2008 ROE at 7.8%. Financial risk of all listed firms in Q2/2008 fell when compared to Q2 of last year, as the interest coverage ratio rose by 1.9 points to 9.7. In Q2/2008, listed firms registered cash disbursement of more than THB 140 billion (approx. USD 4.09 billion), compared with cash inflow from operations of THB 96 billion (approx. USD 2.80 billion). Public companies raised a total of THB 23 billion during Q2/2008, with THB18 billion or more than 80%, acquired through IPOs, while capital raised on the secondary market totaled THB 4.3 billion . Most of the capital increase came through private placement. The Resources Group raised the more capital than other industry groups, at more than THB 17 billion . For more information on SET Note corporate update Q2/2008, please visit http://www.set.or.th/setresearch/setresearch.htm.