SET pushes for more investment

 "Some companies have shown interest to participate the matching fund scheme," said SET President Patareeya Benjapholchai. "It would be more transparent if they invest through the matching funds, rather than investing in stocks on their own. Moreover, they are entitled to dividends."

 The matching funds, targeting stocks with strong fundamentals and positive returns, would be managed by asset management companies.

 She noted that the exchange is reshaping the fund structure. The delay would not pose an opportunity loss, despite the recent market recovery, as dividends should be attractive, she added. 

 According to the survey of the Securities Analysts Association, companies with debts less than 1 time of equity and strong cashflow - based on the second quarter financial results - include Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding (0.76:1), Electricity Generating (0.76:1), PTT Chemical (0.38:1), Preuksa Real Estate (0.49:1), Land & Houses (0.63:1), Thoresen Thai Agencies (0.51:1), Advanced Info Service (0.67:1) and Hana Microelectronics (0.22:1).

The SET has planned to establish a matching fund worth Bt5 billion: Bt1 billion contribution from the exchange and Bt4 billion from local and overseas institutional investors. It plans to draw high net-worth investors from the Middle East. The SET claimed that it gained average 24 per cent from the investment in a similar fund.