PATTAYA, Thailand – Kasikornbank expects the Thai baht to trade in a range of 31.60 to 32.60 per US dollar during April 20–24.
The bank said key factors to watch include Thailand’s March export figures, developments in the Middle East — especially any signs of a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran — global oil prices, and foreign fund flows.
Important US economic data due this week include March retail sales, pending home sales, consumer confidence, inflation expectations, April preliminary PMI figures, and weekly jobless claims.
Markets are also watching for China’s loan prime rate decision, Japan’s March inflation data, and April PMI figures from Japan, the eurozone, and the UK.
On Friday, April 17, the Thai baht closed at 32.08 per US dollar, compared with 32.15 a week earlier.
Foreign investors sold a net 7.3 billion baht in Thai stocks between April 16–17, but remained net buyers in Thailand’s bond market with inflows of 642 million baht.
