(Aug 19): Most Asian currencies and stocks were on the front foot on Monday, with markets in Thailand taking centre stage after the election of a new prime minister and as the nation’s economic growth beat expectations.
The Thai baht rose as much as 0.5%, hitting its highest since early January, while stocks rallied nearly 1.2%.
The tourism-reliant economy posted 2.3% growth in the second-quarter, data released earlier in the day showed, beating a Reuters poll of analysts’ expectations for an expansion of 2.1%.
On Friday, Paetongtarn Shinawatra was elected Thailand’s youngest prime minister, calming political uncertainty that had dogged Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy after former Prime Minister Sretta Thavisin was dismissed on grounds of ethic violations.
However, politics in Thailand remain a risk to the economy, some analysts caution.
“I think the new PM did ease some concerns over the political uncertainty which could be quite positive for Thai assets in the near term. However, I think it would be more important to focus on how quickly the new cabinet will be formed,” Krung Thai Bank’s markets strategist Poon Panichpibool said.
“Thailand clearly has still not found a formula to bridge its deep political divide. Without one, uncertainty will remain entrenched and economic populism is likely to become worse, with negative repercussions for investor confidence,” analysts from Capital Economics wrote.
Elsewhere, the Malaysian currency traded as much as 1.3% higher at 4.370 per dollar, reaching a 1½-year peak, while the South Korean won surged 1.4% to its highest since late March.
The ringgit has had a stellar run among emerging Asian currencies, while Malaysian stocks have been one of the best performers, as investors look to the country as a alternative investment destination.
Other currencies such as the Singapore dollar, Indonesian rupiah and the Taiwan dollar advanced between 0.3% and 0.8%.
On the event front, investors are looking to central bank decisions from Thailand, Malaysia and South Korea, with analysts expecting all three to hold rates, in contrast to the Philippines central bank’s decision last week to cut its main policy rate.
Globally, the Jackson Hole symposium slated later this week will be a major focus for investors with Fed Chair Jerome Powell likely to address concerns on the economy and the Fed’s rate trajectory.
Among Asian shares, the Philippines’ benchmark rose as much as 1.4%, holding near its early April highs, while others such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan climbed between 0.1% and 1.1%.
Uploaded by Lam Seng Fatt
