AOT

AoT plans to increase airport taxes next year to cut its losses – The board of Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) plans to raise its passenger service charge from 100 baht to 200 baht for passengers on domestic flights and from 700 to 800 baht for passengers on international flights to cut its losses. AoT chairman Sita Divari said the board resolved to raise the fees yesterday and the new rates should take effect late next year. He said AoT would have to seek approval from the Civil Aviation Board and inform travelers six months in advance. Sqn Ldr Sita said the fee increases will add Bt3.8bn to AoT’s annual revenue of Bt16.7bn. (Bangkok Post, 25/10/13)

Comment: What an improvement for AOT

BIGC

3Q13A: Net profit up 33% YoY — BIGC reported 3Q13 profit of Bt1.37bn, growth of 33% YoY. Sales grew 5.7% YoY and rental income and services were up 10.2% YoY. The growth in earnings came largely from the opening of new stores and improvement in existing stores along with regular marketing campaigns. (Khao Hoon, 25/10/13)

Comment: If you have a look @ their actual numbers net of this magical tax credit, they SSS and growth numbers were not positive at all

BTS

Gets its new train cars — BTS received five new trains with 20 carriages from China and will begin operating these on December 5, 2013. This will increase its total number of trains to 52 with 208 carriages to help support an average 700,000 passengers a day. (Khao Hoon, 25/10/13)

Comment: This will go some way to alleviating the long waiting queues we now have on the BTS during peak hours

HMPRO

Last day for stock dividend — Today is the last day to buy HMPRO to receive stock dividend at the ratio of 6:1 and cash dividend of Bt0.1853/share before it will XD on 28 October 2013. HMPRO expects 3Q213 profit of Bt745mn, increasing 20% YoY. It has opened a new branch in Petchaboon, the 61st branch, and expects revenue at Bt30-35mn per month. (Khao Hoon, 25/10/13)

RATCH

Ratch invests B6.9bn in Aussie solar – Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc (Ratch) expanded its renewable business in Australia by investing Bt6.9bn to develop two solar farms with a capacity of 53MW. Through Ratch-Australia 2 Farms Co Ltd (RAC), which is 80% owned by Thailand’s largest private power producer, the two solar farms will replace the Collinsville coal-fired station that shut down in June. (Bangkok Post, 25/10/13)

TMB

Strong profit this year: Board — The Board of TMB said it expects to post strong profits at the end of this year, saying that profits may even exceed Bt6bn, supported by continual loan growth. (Khao Hoon, 25/10/13)

UAC

Expects to report good 3Q13 — UAC expects profits for 3Q13 to soar to Bt32mn, with gross margin at 20% levels, driven by higher sales in products with higher margins. (Khao Hoon, 25/10/13)

Comment: This has been a wonderful growth story for a company that has gone from purely distributing petrochemical products to taking advantage of the bio-gas market that has come in Thailand