HOME IMPROVEMENTS
HomePro races against retail law to expand
Operator also determined to boost average customer purchase via higher marketing budget
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Diamond Roofing scores 56% profit rise
Diamond Roofing Tiles plans to boost its revenues 10 per cent this year, after yesterday announcing a 56-per-cent rise in its net profit for last year and a dividend payment of 60 satang per share for second-half operations.
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Video on demand from iPSTAR Australia
Shin Satellite subsidiary iPSTAR Australia has launched the region's first video-on-demand service via the iPSTAR broadband-satellite network.
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Prinsiri to open five new property projects worth Bt5.1 bn
Property firm Prinsiri will expand into new five projects worth Bt5.1 billion as part of its plan to achieve sales revenues of Bt4 billion this year, says deputy managing director Chaiwat Kovitchindachai.
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Ice-skating rink to target youngsters
The Major Bowl Group, a subsidiary of the Major Cineplex Group, has set aside more than Bt50 million this year to build its new brand of lifestyle ice-skating rink, the first in the country.
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McDonald's tries out a trendy new look
McDonald's yesterday emerged from its time-honoured mould to introduce a new restaurant concept it hopes will provide a popular meeting place for teenagers and young adults, to accommodate changing trends.
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Late news: Pioneer to up Thai production
Pioneer plans a dramatic expansion in production capacity for auto electronic products at two manufacturing bases in China and Thailand this year, in response to rapid growth in demand.
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Mounting troubles hit tourism sector
Travel operators and a credit-card company have voiced concerns that the tourism industry will face fierce pressure this year due to negative political news and an economic slowdown that will force domestic tourists to cut down on leisure expenses.
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ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Gloomy prospects for all four regions
Strong baht, low investment, political uncertainty combine for pessimistic forecast
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Octane-95 sales won't be scrapped
The Energy Ministry will not scrap octane-95 petrol distribution despite ethanol producers' requests, saying there are over 200,000 vehicles that cannot be driven by ethanol-mixed petrol or so-called gasohol.
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In brief:BankThai signs $40m notes deal
Phirasilp Subhapholsiri, president of BankThai, yesterday signed an agreement for distribution of the bank's 10-year subordinated floating-rate notes worth US$40 million (Bt1.42 billion) with Morgan Stanley & Co International.
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Astina to introduce kitchen equipment to its product line
Astina (Thailand) hopes to achieve Bt1 billion in sales of home appliances within a few years by entering more product categories and the international market, as well as expanding its selling points.
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Two Japanese firms 'showing strong will on eco-car project'
Two out of the six auto-makers that have shown interest in a environmentally friendly
car project are likely to put money into eventual production, Industry Ministry permanent
secretary Chakramon Phasukvanich said yesterday.
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Shin Corp posts 60% plunge in profit
Thailand's largest telecom holding firm Shin Corp has posted a 60.47-per-cent slump in net profit for last year, due to a fall in the net earnings of its subsidiaries.
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US brands slam Thai piracy record
Leading American brands Levi, Marlboro and LM, the Cable Broadcasting Satellite Association of Asia and the American Apparel and Footwear Association have urged the US government to downgrade Thailand to its Priority Watch List, citing worsening counterfeiting, according to the US Trade Representative's recent report.
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Big C to spend Bt3 bn on four new stores
Big C Supercentre will invest more than Bt4.5 billion this year in new stores as well as renovating existing branches, despite political and economic uncertainties and the upcoming enactment of the retail business law which is set to control discount-store expansion.
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STREET WISE
Why are resources still being wasted?
When meeting with reporters on Monday, Shin Satellite vice president for finance Tanadit Charoenchan admitted that shareholders and all others involved were concerned about the company's prospects.
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Vayupak Fund 2 could ease mass transit debt burden
The government should consider setting up a Vayupak Fund 2 as an option to lower its financial burden for mass-transit construction, MFC Asset Management president Pichit Akrathit suggested yesterday.
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Credit cards out of favour
Applications for credit cards have fallen because of political uncertainty and consumers' caution about spending, said Kasikornbank.
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TUF forecasts return to profit growth
Thai Union Frozen Products (TUF) expects its net profit to grow more than 10 per cent this year after experiencing a 6-per-cent contraction to Bt1.96 billion last year, due to negative factors, particularly the baht's appreciation.
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Company reports
BANGKOK FIRST INVESTMENT & TRUST announced a consolidated net profit of Bt296.89 million for 2006, compared with Bt265.72 million the year before.
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STOCK FOCUS
Preuksa Real Estate
Phatra Securities has a "neutral" recommendation on Preuksa Real Estate, having cut the company's estimated earnings by 10 per cent for 2007 and 8 per cent for 2008.
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GE Money restructures to boost efficiency
GE Money Thailand, a non-bank consumer-finance company, plans to grow 10 per cent this year, as the company has restructured its business to boost efficiency.
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Niche marketeers
Bucking the trend of bad times in the local auto industry, two companies have made their mark catering to a specific clientele
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