SET board to consider extending trading hours

According to the associa¬tion's proposal, trading would be extended by two hours from 7pm9pm but investors would only be allowed to order via the Internet. The SET now has two trading sessions. The morning session runs from 10am to 12.30pm and the afternoon ses¬sion from 2.30pm4.30pm. - The Nation.

Property Perfect reports stellar profit rise

Real estate developer Property Perfect's secondquar¬ter net profit rose sharply from Bt19.8 million for the same period last year to Bt294.7 mil¬lion, due to higher profit mar¬gins and lower costs.

The developer reported Bt1.8 billion in sales revenue, an increase of Bt416.5 million on year or 29.3 per cent from Bt1.4 billion. Its gross profit margin also rose from 29.4 per cent in the same period last year to 33.2 per cent, due to a rise in property prices.

Meanwhile, its sales and administrative costs dropped by Bt68.1 million, or 19.4 per cent, due to the government's lower special business tax as well as reduced transaction fees as one of the government's economicstimulus measures. - The Nation

NMG moves out of the red in the first half 2008

Nation Multimedia Group (NMG) reported a net profit of Bt1.11 million for the sixmonth period ended June 30, 2008, compared to the same period last year when it showed a net loss of Bt4.89 million. - The Nation

Asia Metal reports profit turnaround for Q2

Asia Metal reported net profit of Bt183.44 million for the second quarter, compared to a loss of Bt35.84 million for the same period last year, due to an increase in the price of hotrolled steel.

Aside from the higher price, the company's sales volume rose by 7.37 per cent on year.

Meanwhile, two joint ven¬tures with combined invest¬ment of Bt30.50 million will be established to expand its steel business. The 55per centowned Asia Metal Fabrication will build and installation steel structures. The 51per centowned Vientiane Bonded Warehouse will operate a serv¬ice warehouse along the ThaiLaos border. - The Nation

Mistake pushes Thai Unique unto the red

Thai Unique Coil Centre, an industrial materials and machinery operator, has report¬ed a secondquarter net loss of Bt23.88 million, compared to a net profit of Bt10.68 million for the same period last year.

The company said it had failed to adjust its prices in line with the higher cost of raw materials.

Thai Unique noted that the economic situation and higher costs due to the sharp rise in oil prices were the main factors cutting into its profits. While, it could not adjust selling price based on price of raw materials much, and the company's treaty of tighten credit control policy, value customers have much more bargaining power.

Although the company and its subsidiary reported increased revenues they could not cover higher operational expenses buying land and new machinery.

The company said that the new machinery will be operational and generating revenue from third quarter of this year. The Nation