Bangkok--4 May--SET
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is alerting investors with long-term vision as to the great bargains available in securities during the current economic downturn, advising them to gradually invest now so that they might enjoy higher returns when the economy recovers. SET Group has joined forces with securities companies, asset management firms, and gold futures brokerage firms, making a total of over 40 companies, to advise on investment and opening accounts in SET in the City Zone @ Money Expo at Meeting Room 1-4, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, over May 7-10, 2009.
“Even though Thailand, like the rest of the world, is not out of the current crisis yet, but in this crisis there is opportunity. SET, therefore, would like to alert investors to take advantage and investment through SET in the City Zone @ Money Expo 2009 via five positive signs,” Ms. Sopawadee Lertmanaschai, SET Chief Marketing Officer-Markets & Post-Trade Services, revealed.
“The current economic recession has forced SET Index from 858.10 at end-2007 to gradually down to 472.72 (April 28, 2009), or a 44.9% plunge. However, most companies have good fundamentals and strong financial status. For example, average dividend yields for 2008 are a very high 6.57% (based on the 343 out of 500 listed firms which have announced dividend payments), with a dividend payout of over THB 200 billion, accounting for 56.78% (March 2009) of total net profits. Such signs reflect opportunities to invest in stocks at relatively low cost to gain returns when the market recovers. Meanwhile, the government is reducing interest rates, including for deposits. This is a sign for savers to seek investment alternatives, e.g., bonds and mutual funds, which give them more return than bank deposit. For those who prefer gold, gold futures are an alluring alternative, with lower costs than holding the metal itself, yet with the possibility of profiting in both bear and bull markets, making this instrument very attractive. To respond to investment needs in the current situation, professionals will advise on securities investment alternatives as well as open accounts in SET in the City Zone,” noted Ms. Sopawadee.
SET in the City Zone @ Money Expo 2009 has divided its offerings into several areas. In the Equities and Futures Room (Meeting Rooms 1-2), investors may open accounts for equities, derivatives, gold futures, and bonds with any of 19 securities companies and three gold futures brokerages. Click2Win 2009, an online securities trading simulation game through the Internet, will run. In the Mutual Funds Room (Meeting Room3), 21 asset management firms will advise on investing through such funds, so the public can learn how to most prudently put their money to work in the current low interest rate environment. Asset managers will show how people can save on taxes through LTFs and RMFs, and advise them how to check their funds’ operating performance. In the Investment Seminar Room (Meeting Room 4), investors can seek opportunities from analysts and other specialists in many areas, including an overview of the economy, finance, and every form of investment, i.e., equities, derivatives, and mutual funds. The audience will also be able to hear suggested investment strategies and techniques.
“The integrated financial product services in SET in the City Zone will respond to the needs of all investors. In addition, there will be a promotion called ‘I’m an investor’, to reward those who have made transactions at the fair and thus have started on the road of investment. Those who open trading accounts will qualify for an ‘I’m an investor’ T-shirt, those opening gold futures accounts will get bull dolls, and those opening a mutual fund account will be rewarded with cool bags,” concluded Ms. Sopawadee.
For more information, please contact S-E-T Call Center at 0 22229 2222 or visit www.set.or.th/setinthecity.
Press office, please contact Public Relations Unit, the Corporate Communications Dept.:Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036 / Kanokwan Khemmalai Tel: 0-2229-2048 / Panitee Chatpolarak Tel: 0-2229-2792