The Stock Exchange of Thailand is likely to increase its 250-billion-baht target for market capitalisation of newly issued securities this year after more than half the goal was reached in the first half.
The number of listings is expected to be 40-45 this year, close to last year's 46, executive vice-president Santi Kiranand said.
Of the 46 new listings last year, 17 were companies that listed on the SET, 20 listed on the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI), while the rest are infrastructure and property funds. They added 244 billion baht in market value to the stock exchange.
Year-to-date 15 companies have gone public comprising eight SET listings, four MAI listings, one infrastructure fund and two property funds. Their total market value was 152 billion baht.
"There are 16 companies seeking listing on the MAI in the second half," said Paveena Sriphothong, the SET's group head of the issuer and listing division.
The Securities and Exchange Commission recently approved seven initial public offering (IPO) filings comprising three SET listings, one MAI listing, one infrastructure fund and two property funds.
Five of the seven plan to debut in the third quarter.
In another development, Noppakao Sucharitakul, group head of the customer and channel division, said the SET would not cut its average trading value target of 52 billion baht a day this year even though turnover had declined in recent months.
In the first half, average daily turnover was 50 billion baht.
Ms Noppakao is upbeat that market sentiment will improve in the second half thanks to state spending. A flurry of IPO deals during the period could boost sentiment and trading value.
Mr Santi is optimistic foreign investors will return to the Thai equity market later this year after cashing out the last two years.