Thai stocks rose on Friday with investors heartened by a decision by Standard and Poor's rating agency to upgrade Thai banks, but analysts expect a sullen market next week because of expectations of a US interest rate hike.
The benchmark Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index closed up 6.97 points, or 1.09 percent, at 644 points. The big-cap SET 50 index rose 1.38 percent to 44.08 points.
Turnover increased to 23 billion baht ($563.3 million) from 17 billion on Thursday.
On Thursday, Standard & Poor's upgraded its long-term counter-party credit ratings for Thailand's four biggest banks - Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Kasikornbank and Krung Thai Bank.
Bangkok Bank shares rose 2.75 percent to 93.50 baht, Krung Thai climbed 1.85 percent to 11 baht, while Siam Commercial gained 2.76 percent to 46.50 baht.
Kasikorn jumped 4.74 percent to 49.75 baht, with the sector index up 2.56 percent.
The property sector rose 2.53 percent, led by bargain hunting in small-cap stocks.
Asian Property jumped 9.56 percent to 4.47 baht, while Hemaraj Land and Development leapt 8.89 percent to 0.98 baht.

Copyright Reuters, 2004

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