Bangkok, Feb 28, 2026, 15:05 ICT — Market shut its doors.
- The SET Index closed out Friday at 1,528.26, slipping 0.35% for the session. Still, the benchmark posted a roughly 3.3% gain over the week.
- Midweek, the Bank of Thailand unexpectedly slashed rates, shaping sentiment—though dividend-driven trades weighed on a few major stocks.
- Thailand’s PMI and February inflation numbers are both landing next week—two data points to watch in the near term.
The SET Index in Thailand added 48.55 points this week, up roughly 3.3%, despite slipping 0.35% on Friday to close at 1,528.26. Gains ran through four consecutive sessions before Friday’s retreat.
This week’s rebound came on the heels of a surprise rate cut from the Bank of Thailand on Feb. 25. The central bank slashed its one-day repurchase rate by 25 basis points, taking it down to 1.00%, in a bid to shore up an economy weighed down by U.S. tariff jitters and a stubbornly strong baht. Assistant Governor Don Nakornthab described the move as “front-loading,” adding: “If the economic outlook changes significantly, we are ready to reduce rates.” Capital Economics’ Gareth Leather is looking for “one further cut this year,” but Kasikornbank’s Kobsidthi Silpachai sees 1.00% as the likely lower bound unless a recession hits. Reuters
Exchange figures show the SET Index climbing 21.32% so far this year. The price-to-earnings ratio hit 17.41, while total market capitalisation hovered near 19.33 trillion baht. Investors are looking at a market yield of 4.13%.
Trading on Friday reached 104.31 billion baht, according to exchange data. Foreign investors ended up net buyers, picking up 968.18 million baht, as institutions unloaded 3.23 billion. Advanced Info Service slid 5.94% among the most-active shares, while Delta Electronics traded “XD” — ex-dividend, so no rights to the latest payout. KBANK added 1.26%, BBL edged up 0.57%, and PTT dipped 0.67%. SET Thailand
Another move from the baht—it firmed 0.4% to 31.02 against the dollar, setting up for a 0.5% gain this week, The Edge Markets wrote. Krung Thai Bank strategist Poon Panichpibool flagged gold-driven inflows as higher bullion prices lured money. Elsewhere, regional equities lost ground, with AI stock momentum fading and worries over geopolitics and U.S. tariffs sticking around.
Still, offshore demand shifts quickly if global risk sours. U.S. equities slid into the end of February—S&P 500 closed the month down around 0.5%, Nasdaq lost 2.4%. Volatility nudged higher as investors digested crowded AI bets, fresh tariff worries, and ongoing geopolitical strain.
So, Thai stocks head into March with rates trimmed and a market that’s already sprinted higher this year. Watch for sharp moves in individual names around dividend time. Exporters could feel the squeeze from a strong baht, even if the overall index stays level.
Investors turn to the S&P Global manufacturing PMI as the next session kicks off Monday, March 2. Thailand’s numbers on February inflation and core inflation drop March 5, with foreign exchange reserves following on March 6, Trading Economics data shows.
