(Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)The Thai economy can expect 3.2% growth and a clear recovery in 2022, while total profits of listed companies are projected to rise to 921 billion baht, up 8.8% from this year, according to Asia Plus Securities (ASPS). The SET Index is projected to continue rising to 1,816 points next year, said Therdsak Thaveeteeratham, executive vice-president of ASPS. For external factors, investors should monitor global concerns over China Evergrande Group's debt default and the Federal Reserve's decision on the tapering of its quantitative easing, he said. ASPS expects the Thai economy in the third quarter this year to contract by 5.3% year-on-year before starting a recovery in the fourth quarter from the gradual easing of lockdown measures, an increase in economic activities, and the government's upcoming economic stimulus packages. The first group includes stocks expected to benefit from the restart of the economy, while the second includes stocks expected to benefit from the restructuring of the SET50 and SET100 indices," he said.
