ท่านสามารถอ่านและดาวน์โหลดเอกสารได้จาก Daily240214_T Pressured down by US CPI |
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Market today | The SET is expected to move down after US inflation came in higher than expected, generating concerns the Fed will keep interest rate higher for longer. US bond yield and the dollar also rose, leading to depreciation of the baht and will lead to fund outflows. The SET has supports at 1380 and 1370, with the upper bound limited at between 1394-1400. | Today’s highlights | • The US reported an increase in CPI and Core CPI for Jan of 3.1%YoY and 3.9%YoY, higher than expected. Markets now expect no rate cut in May, possibly in June. • Officials from the US, Egypt, Israel, and Qatar are set to meet in Cairo today to discuss a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. • OPEC forecasts global oil demand to increase by an additional 2.25mn bbl/day in 2024 and 1.85mn bbl/day in 2025. It also expects global economic growth of 2.7% in 2024 and 2.9% in 2025, up from previous forecasts of 2.6% and 2.8%, supported by slowing inflation. • The US Senate passed a foreign aid budget of US$95.34bn to support Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with a vote of 70 to 29. • The Ministry of Tourism reported 872,235 international tourists visited Thailand during the Chinese New Year festival from Feb 5-11, an increase of 102,227 people or 13.28%WoW. • The Thai Chamber of Commerce survey expects Valentine's Day spending on Feb 14 to exceed Bt2.5bn, up 5.4% from 2023, the highest in five years. This could result in more than Bt8-9bn circulating in the Thai economy in Feb 2024, including Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, and Makha Bucha Day activities. • The SET is preparing to discuss with the SEC the implementation of four short- and long-term measures to regulate short-selling and program trading transactions. | Strategy today | In the short term the SET is expected to still be range-bound with no new catalyst. Investors await the gradual release of 4Q23 earnings, while US inflation is higher than expected. The strategy is “defensive and accumulate fundamental stocks to wait for the market recovery”. | Trading today | Weekly portfolio: In the short term the SET is expected to be range-bound, lacking catalysts and awaiting 4Q23 earnings results. We recommend “accumulate defensive and fundamental stocks to wait for market recovery” in three main themes: 1) Investors who are concerned about market fluctuations are recommended to invest in defensive stocks that are expected to beat the market with beta below 1 and price outperformance vs. the SET YTD – ADVANC, AOT, BDMS and TISCO. 2) Short-term investors (3-4 months) who want to invest in high-quality dividend stocks during dividend season, for stocks going XD between Mar–May 2024, with expected yield on 2023 (after deducting interim dividend) of over 5% - AP, BCP and KTB. Long-term investors who want to invest in high-quality dividend stocks to generate consistent cash flow, with dividend yield expected at over 5% on 2024, we suggest AH, AP, BCP, KTB, PTT and TTB. 3) Long-term investors are recommended to invest via DCA accumulation as now would be good timing since the SET has fallen significantly and risk is low and stocks are undervalued – BBL, BDMS, BEM, CPALL, PTT and SCC, all of which are in SET100 and are leaders in their industries with ESG ratings of AAA and AA, valuation lower than 10-year historical average and strong operating results. For the short term we recommend being cautious on stocks whose 4Q23 results may be weaker than expected – BJC, HMPRO, GLOBAL, ZEN, AU, CPF, BTG, AWC and SIRI. | Daily top picks | BEM: Considered a safe stock during a volatile market. 4Q23 net profit is expected to be Bt796mn, growing 32%YoY on increased expressway and MRT traffic. 2023 profit is expected to be Bt3.4bn, growing 40% and expected to grow another 27% in 2024 as traffic and passenger volumes continue to grow. PTT: Considered a defensive stock with diverse businesses to provide long-term stability in earnings. 1Q24 operating profit is expected to improve QoQ, backed by the P&R business. Dividend yield is estimated at 6%. | Today’s reports | Petrochemicals – Higher naphtha cost struck margin AOT – 1QFY24: Misses estimates. Earnings still on an uptrend. BTSGIF – 3QFY24: Core operations still improving DCC – 4Q23: Down QoQ on weak demand | | Click here to read and/or download file Daily240214_E |
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