Recap: Anxiety over Turkey's currency crisis led to outflows from stock markets and currency weakening in many emerging economies. However, optimism later returned amid news that the US and China plan their first trade talks since negotiations broke down two months ago.
The SET index moved in a range of 1,664.9 and 1,690.24 points before closing on Friday at 1,690.04, down 0.9% from the previous week, in turnover averaging 54.58 billion baht a day.
Foreign investors were net sellers of 8 billion baht and brokers sold 501.3 million. Retail investors were net buyers of 5.4 billion baht and institutional investors purchased 3.1 billion.
Newsmakers: The shaky Turkish lira recovered by 4% as the country's finance minister affirmed that Turkish banks were "healthy and strong" as he vowed to fix debt problems. Qatar pledged $15 billion in investments to help Turkey's economy.
US President Donald Trump has signed a new law that strengthens the government's power to review -- and potentially block -- business deals involving foreign firms. Washington's main concern is Chinese firms using investments and acquisitions to gain access to new technology.
Japan's export growth slowed in July, with car sales to the US sinking and as global trade disputes cast doubt over demand.
The South Korean government plans to ban about 20,000 BMWs from the streets after nearly 30 reports of fires, mainly involving 520d sedans. The ban will apply to cars that have not yet been sent to BMW for safety checks under a voluntary recall.
Tesla's board has created a committee to evaluate any proposals to take the company private after founder Elon Musk rocked markets when he floated the idea on Twitter on Aug 7. He says financing has been discussed with Saudi Arabia.
Thai commercial banks witnessed a first-time contraction of 11.2% in fee-based income from fund transfers to 5.27 billion baht in the second quarter, reflecting fee waivers on digital banking transactions.
First-half net profits of SET-listed firms are projected at 555 billion baht, with about 150 listed companies set to pay interim dividends, says Asia Plus Securities.
The luxury property developer Pace Development Plc reported a 94% plunge in profit in the second quarter, leading to a net loss of 3.87 billion baht for the first half of 2018.
Major shareholders and investor representatives of embattled Inter Far East Engineering Plc (IFEC) on Tuesday asked the SEC to force IFEC executives to arrange a shareholders' meeting.
Sahamitr Pressure Container Plc (SMPC), the country's largest manufacturer of LPG cylinders, is looking for a second production site abroad, says managing director Surasak Urpsiri. The new facility would have a capacity of 1.2 million to 2.5 million cylinders a year in order to trim transport costs from Thailand.
Country Group Development Plc (CGD) plans a mixed-use project worth 15 billion baht on a 23-rai site on the Industrial Ring Road near Rama III Road.
Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc (CPF) said Q2 revenue rose 8% year-on-year to 136.4 billion baht amid buoyant overseas sales, which were up 16%.
Spending on TV commercials during the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia is expected to slow to 80-90 million baht, down 25% from 2014, said Media Intelligence Co. Broadcasts this time will be seen on just two digital TV channels.
Coming up: The US will release July existing home sales on Wednesday, followed by the minutes of the last Fed meeting and July new home sales the following day. Also due Thursday are minutes of the last European Central Bank meeting and euro zone consumer confidence. Japan will release July inflation data on Friday.
Stocks to watch: Capital Nomura Securities suggests asset allocation at 75% stocks, 7.5% cash, 12.5% gold and 5% bonds. It advises keeping an eye on ADVANC and DTAC in light of the auction for 900 and 1,800 MHz spectrum licences. Official Q2 GDP figures will be released Monday, with 4.3% growth predicted. Banks could get a lift, the broker says.
Capital Nomura says domestic plays with good potential include BBL, KBANK, CPALL, ROBINS, CK, STEC, SEAFCO, PYLON, AMATA, GOLD, ERW, BH, AOT and ERW. PTT and IVL are recommended as global plays.
Asia Plus Securities also recommends domestic plays, notably ROBINS, DTAC, DCC, EAST and SPF. It also likes low-beta and low P/E stocks such as DCC and EASTW.
Technical view: Bualuang Securities sees support at 1,680 points and resistance at 1,730. RHB Securities sees support at 1,670 and resistance at 1,730.
