Futures Focus

The SET50 Index closed last week at 992.88 points, a decrease of 1.47 points or 0.15% from the previous week. The most traded SET50 Futures contract S50U17 (expiring in September 2017) was settled at 987.60 points, a decrease of 4.60 points or 0.46%.

US stock markets declined last week, with technology stocks pulling the overall market lower. As well, the International Monetary Fund revised down its US economic forecast amid growing doubts that Donald rump can push through tax reform and increase infrastructure spending. Trade in Europe was also cautious as investors began to adjust to the prospect of the European Central Bank (ECB) winding down its stimulus as the economy improves. The Dow rallied by 94 points on Friday to finish the week at 21,414.34, an increase of 0.3% from 21,349.63 the week before.

The Thai stock market continued to trade in a tight range and closed slightly lower than the week before as investors fretted about global political instability. As well, companies are preparing to announce second-quarter earnings results and investors expect to see some weaker performances. The SET dipped 0.20 points on Friday to finish the week at 1,569.44, a decrease of 0.3% from the week before.

On the TFEX, daily average trading volume was 215,417 contracts, a decrease of 276,110 contracts or 56.2% from the previous week. The most actively traded product was Single Stock Futures with 623,275 contracts, or 124,655 per day. Total market open interest was 1,976,150 contracts, an increase of 76,831 or 4.05%.