Listed companies reported a 251.7% year-on-year jump in net profit for the third quarter, led by energy companies which substantially benefited from the extended oil price slump. Decreasing global oil prices pushed down production costs of most companies, boosting gross profit by 9.5% to 590.7 billion baht and gross profit margins by 23.7% from 21.1% a year earlier. Overall sales, however, dropped 2.3% to 2.5 trillion baht due to lower sales of companies in the energy, utilities, petrochemicals and chemicals sectors. "The overall performance of the listed companies in the first nine months has improved in line with the economy," said SET senior executive vice-president Santi Kiranand. There were nine sectors that reported growth in total sales, net profits and gross profit margin in the January-September period compared to the same period last year.

Source: Bangkok Post November 21, 2016 14:24 UTC