SET to tackle stock manipulation

SET to tackle stock manipulation

Measures to curb rampant stock manipulation will be the centre of discussion when the Stock Exchange of Thailand board meets this month.

The SET expects the measures will come into force this year, president Kesara Manchusree said on Friday.

Kesara: Measures likely this year

"I cannot disclose details at the moment, as they may be adjusted if the board members have suggestions," she said.

But Mrs Kesara said the measures would encourage investors to focus more on fundamentals in making investment decisions.

Prapan Charoenprawat, president of the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI), earlier said there would be no blanket enforcement.

If implemented, the measures will apply only to stocks with irregular movements.

Stocks on the MAI have surged significantly this year. The second-tier market's index has more than doubled, while the SET index has surged about 20%.

Pattera Dilok-rungthirapop, chairwoman of the Association of Thai Securities Companies, said the SET and her agency wanted to ensure trading and IT systems were ready to tackle the market's situation once the new measures were imposed.

Even though stock manipulation waned and warning signs posted by stock regulators declined last month, regulators are still pushing for implementation of the tougher measures.

"Our objective is to keep market stability in the long run and protect retail investors. Thus, trading suspension is not included in the measures," Ms Pattera said.

She said the imminent measures would focus on how to prevent share prices from rising too quickly to allow investors to use their judgement in trading stocks.

Separately, Mrs Kesara said market capitalisation of newly listed securities was likely to surpass this year's target of 210 billion baht, while average daily trading value could reach 52 billion next year from 42 billion expected this year.

Siam Wellness Group, the first listed spa firm, saw its share price on its opening day on the MAI yesterday close at 5.10 baht from the initial public offering price of 1.70 baht. Its trade value was brisk at 1.43 billion baht.

This year has seen 32 newly listed securities on the SET and MAI, with a combined market capitalisation of 166 billion baht. Of the total, 17 or just over half were listed on the SET.

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