Recap: All eyes remain fixed on Sino-US trade negotiations as the two countries have imposed more import tariffs against one another. Despite trade uncertainty, US stocks rose on strong economic data, led by financials, while gold and oil also gained. An expected interest-rate increase next week by the Fed is largely priced in already.
The SET index moved in a range of 1,711.57 and 1,766.62 points before closing at 1,756.12, up 2% from the previous week, in heavy turnover averaging 73.56 billion baht a day.
Foreign investors were net buyers of 2.9 billion baht worth of shares, local institutions bought 10.15 billion and brokers 3.5 billion. Retail investors were net sellers of 16.6 billion baht.
Newsmakers: China announced tariffs on another $60 billion in US goods after President Donald Trump said tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese products would take effect next week. Premier Li Keqiang insisted Beijing would not actively weaken the yuan to boost exports, something Mr Trump claims China is doing.
EU leaders poured cold water on the UK's Brexit plan, with European Council President Donald Tusk saying parts of it "will not work". However, EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said the two sides were "moving closer".
The EU is investigating the German carmakers BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen for allegedly colluding to limit the development of systems to reduce harmful emissions.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe easily won the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election, setting the stage for him to serve three more years and become Japan's longest-serving leader.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has agreed to shut one of the country's main missile testing and launch sites, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said after their summit in Pyongyang.
The Indonesian ride-hailing firm Go-Jek is seeking to raise $2 billion from existing investors, including Tencent Holdings and JD.com, to fund expansion in Southeast Asia.
The Bank of Thailand left its policy rate unchanged as expected on Wednesday, but two Monetary Policy Committee members voted for a hike, suggesting the first upward move since 2011 could happen soon.
The latest round of US tariff hikes on $200 billion in Chinese goods could help Thai exports as US buyers will seek substitutes for Chinese products, according to a Commerce Ministry study.
Business confidence rose to a four-month high in August, boosted by the growing tourism and service sectors. The Thai Chamber of Commerce confidence index climbed to 49.8 points from 48.6 in July.
Retail investors are fleeing to high-yield dividend plays and shunning fixed-income funds after the latter became subject to a 15% tax, according to Visit Ongpipattanakul, managing director of Trinity Securities.
Local cryptocurrency players are looking forward to November, when the SEC says it expects to announce the first approved holders of licences for digital asset businesses.
The century-old consumer goods conglomerate Osotspa Plc expects to stage the largest local IPO of the year next month, raising 13-15 billion baht.
The PTT affiliate Global Power Synergy Plc (GPSC) is standing firm on its takeover attempt of SET-listed Glow Energy Plc, saying it complies with the constitution and all related laws. The firm will not monopolise electricity in the Map Ta Phut industrial estate, it said. Former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij is agitating for the deal to be cancelled.
Bangkok Bank plans to introduce cardless QR code technology in an e-wallet for users to make payments in Thailand and abroad, pending the completion of trials conducted with the central bank next month.
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) wants its small and medium-sized enterprise loans outstanding under the Thai Bankers' Association single financial account scheme to reach 8 billion baht by year-end.
Government Savings Bank customers can now make cash deposits and withdrawals at thousands of 7-Eleven stores under a deal with Counter Service Co, a subsidiary of 7-Eleven operator CP All Plc.
London-based IHS Markit forecasts the electric vehicle (EV) fleet in Thailand to reach 600,000 cars by 2030. The total in Asean is expected to reach 900,000, from 40,000 projected in 2018.
Coming up: Germany will release the Ifo business climate index on Monday and the Bank of Japan will release minutes of its last policy meeting on Tuesday.
The US Federal Reserve will announce its interest-rate decision on Thursday. Due the same day are revised US second-quarter GDP, August trade figures, personal consumption and durable goods orders. Germany will release consumer confidence and inflation data, and the EU will update September business confidence on Thursday.
Britain will announce second-quarter GDP and September consumer confidence on Friday. The EU will announce September inflation, Japan will release August unemployment and the US will announce August personal consumption.
Stocks to watch: UOB Kay Hian Securities Thailand recommends firms expected to benefit from election-related spending, including BBL, SCB, STEC, CPALL, PTT and PTTEP. Small caps with high growth potential are GUNKUL, PSTC, DTC, EASTW and AEONTS, while high-dividend stocks are CPNREIT, CPN, PSH, AP, EA and BCPG.
Bualuang Securities' weekly picks include CPF, GFPT, UTP, SGP, BEAUTY and CBG. Consumer-related equities poised to gain from the election are BJC, CPALL, ROBINS, CENTEL, LPN, SPALI, GOLD, MTC, SAWAD, ECL and ECF. Industrial estate stocks WHA, AMATA, TICON, NNCL and ROJNA are also poised to benefit from state policies.
Technical view: DBS Vickers sees support at 1,730 and resistance at 1,780. UOB Kay Hian sees support at 1,740 and resistance at 1,780.