ท่านสามารถอ่านและดาวน์โหลดเอกสารได้จาก Daily240503_T To move between 1355-1370
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Market today | The SET is expected to be range-bound, with the upper bound limited at resistances of 1370 and 1380 and the lower bound at 1355, which is expected to stand and used as following point. A fall below would be bad news with the next support at 1350. Key to follow is the US nonfarm payroll report tonight local time. | Today’s highlights | • The OECD raised its forecast for global GDP growth this year from 2.9% to 3.1%, saying the recovery of the US economy is providing support to the global economy. It also raised its forecast for US GDP in 2024 to 2.6% from 2.1%. • US initial jobless claims last week were 208,000, lower than expected. Factory orders in March increased 1.6%MoM, in line with expectations. The March trade deficit narrowed 0.1% to US$69.4bn, higher than expected. • The eurozone's manufacturing PMI for April fell to 45.7, the 22nd month of contraction in the manufacturing sector. • Apple's stock rose 2.2%, while Qualcomm's stock rose 9.7% after both companies reported better-than-expected earnings and revenue in the quarter. • The BOI said the number of investment applications in 1Q24 totalled 724 projects, up 94%YoY, with a combined investment value of Bt228bn, up 31%YoY, reflecting increased investor confidence. • The Thai government's spokesperson said the minimum wage will be raised to Bt400/day nationwide, with gradual increases starting on October 1, 2024. The labour committee will discuss the minimum wage hike on May 14, 2024. • Microsoft announced investments in cloud and AI of US$810mn and US$630mn in Malaysia and Indonesia, respectively. For Thailand, it announced plans to set up a data center, but the investment amount is still unknown, indicating the deal may still be in the early phases of implementation. | Strategy today | In the short-term the Thai capital market is fragile as are markets around the world on concerns about the tension in the Middle East and the Fed’s probable delay in cutting interest rate after the FOMC has a resolution to keep the rate unchanged, and US employment is expected to be stable. 1Q24 earnings announcements of for the real sector in Thailand are expected to show low growth. Our strategy is “Selective Buy”. | Trading today | The Thai capital market is still fragile, as are world capital markets, concerned about the tension in the Middle East and worries the Fed will delay cutting interest rate longer than expected. We recommend “Selective Buy” in three main themes: 1) Stocks for speculation on those whose 1Q24 profit is expected to grow YoY and will be announced over the next two weeks – HMPRO, TRUE, GFPT, KCE and TOP. 2) For risk-averse investors, look for defensive stocks with strong fundamentals whose profit is less exposed to economic fluctuations – healthcare (BCH and BDMS), land transport (BEM), commerce (CPALL and CPAXT), telecommunication (ADVANC) and high-dividend property (AP). 3) Stocks more resistant to fluctuation and risk from the conflict in the Middle East given the uncertainty of actions between Israel and Iran. For high-risk-takers, choose the upstream stock PTTEP, which directly benefits from higher oil price, and refinery stocks who benefit from higher inventory gain – BCP. An escalation into a full-scale war may push oil price up to above US$100/bbl in the short term as supply from Iran, which has 3-4% of the world’s supply, would be affected. In the worst case, the situation may affect oil exports in the Straits of Hormuz, where 17% of the world’s supply transits. This is negative for oil retailing (lower marketing margin) and aviation (higher cost). | Daily top picks | TIDLOR: The top pick in the micro-finance sector. 2024 profit is expected to recover a strong 23%, and valuation is interesting with PE of 13x. 1Q24 profit is expected to be Bt1.03bn, growing 14%QoQ (lower ECL and opex) and 7%YoY (increasing NII and non-NII), the strongest growth of peers. KCE: The top pick in the electronics component sector, with profit expected to grow the strongest among peers. 2024 net profit is expected to grow 32%, driven by EV growth and better cost management. Valuation is interesting, currently trading at a 2024 PE of 21.1x, equivalent to -1S.D. of historical PE. | Today’s reports | Finance – Preview 1Q24: Flattish QoQ, up YoY BH – Expect usual lower quarter in 2Q24 OR – Preview 1Q24F: Expect sharp rise QoQ | | Click here to read and/or download file Daily240503_E |
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