Briefs

Sansiri might miss its sales target of Bt18 billion this year due to declining consumer confidence, DBS Vickers Securities (Thailand) said yesterday.

The securities house has lowered its revenue forecast for Sansiri to Bt15.3 billion.

Sansiri earlier revised its 2008 guidance from Bt26 billion to Bt18 billion. In the first nine months, Sansiri realised only Bt9 billion from presales. DBS said Sansiri's low-rise properties could be affected by the US financial crisis. - The Nation

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ThaiBev's Oishi deal

Thai Beverage is buying 82 million shares at Bt37 per share in Oishi Group from Yodkij Thurakit for a total of Bt3.04 billion.

Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi is the founder and largest shareholder of ThaiBev.

The transaction is equal to 43.9 per cent of Oishi's paid-up capital. - The Nation

PTT president and CEO Prasert Bunsumpun was ranked 30th in ICIS's "Top 40 Power Players", in recognition of his ability in boosting the group's competitiveness through restructuring.

The news agency commended Prasert on the mergers of companies in the group and joint ventures that further strengthened the group's operations. - The Nation

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LTEF investment

A total of 140,663 Thais have invested Bt36.95 billion in long-term equity funds (LTEFs), which totalled 53 funds at the end of 2007, the Revenue Department said yesterday. Of the total, 118,875 exercised their rights to tax refunds, worth Bt15 billion, but only Bt2.4 billion has been refunded.

The 72 retirement mutual funds welcomed 124,429 members and Bt31.48 billion in investment. - The Nation

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Kiatnakin's NPAs

Kiatnakin Bank aims to sell non-performing assets (NPA) worth Bt2 billion this year.

Sarawut Charuchinda, head of debt-restructuring, said yesterday the bank has 2,000 assets worth Bt9.5 billion that will go up for grabs. The bank sold NPAs worth Bt840 million in the first half of the year.

The bank targets to dispose of all its NPAs in two to five years.

It is holding an auction until tomorrow for two premium vacant lots in Khon Kaen and Nakhon Sawan. - The Nation