MFC Asset Management aims to increase assets under management (AUM) to 520 billion baht this year, a 14.3% rise from 2017, by launching 29 mutual funds, as well as other investment funds.
Those 29 mutual funds are expected to be valued at 15 billion baht, comprising 12 term funds and 17 target and equity funds, said president and executive director Prapa Puranachote.
The company also wants to launch two new property funds worth 3 billion baht, 10 new private funds worth 10 billion and the Thailand Future Fund worth 22 billion, Ms Prapa said.
The company reported 2017 revenue of 950 million baht, with a net profit of 187.5 million.
Revenue is projected to reach 1.31 billion baht this year on an increase in AUM.
The firm sees the Thai stock market as having upside potential, with the energy, banking, tourism and export sectors tipped for positive growth.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand index is projected to rise to 1,860 points this year, with the support level at 1,700, MFC said.
Such a bullish outlook is supported by the company's GDP growth forecast for Thailand of 4% this year.
The government is expected to continue investing in infrastructure megaprojects, which will drive economic growth and private consumption, while the private sector is projected to ramp up investment, inducing a rise in bank loan growth, Ms Prapa said.
Oil prices are poised to remain at a high threshold, with producers in the Middle East expected to control supply to match existing demand, she said.
The US Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes, at least four expected this year, could affect investor sentiment in the global stock markets, Ms Prapa said.
The Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee could follow suit by making a 25-basis-point rate hike later this year.
But global interest rates remain low, making returns on bond investment low as well, Ms Prapa said.
MFC Asset Management forecasts global fixed-income securities, particularly 10-year bonds, to generate a 2-3% return compared with 1.3-1.5% offered by domestic bonds.
