The Stock Exchange of Thailand and One Asset Management have launched ThaiDEX SET50 ETF, the country’s first equity exchange-traded fund, which is scheduled to begin trading on September 6
The Stock Exchange of Thailand and One Asset Management have launched ThaiDEX SET50 ETF, the country’s first equity exchange-traded fund, which is scheduled to begin trading on September 6.
The fund has been created in collaboration with the country’s financial regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bank of Thailand and the Thailand Securities Depository.
According to the exchange’s president Patareeya Benjapolchai, the fund marks an important stage in the development of the Thai capital market by providing an alternative investment tool for the public and creating new business opportunities for asset management companies, securities firms and commercial banks.
‘The market is evolving into a comprehensive investment centre, with attractive financial products, professional service and up-to-date systems – and able to compete regionally and internationally,’ she says.
‘The second Thai Capital Market Development Plan and the stock exchange’s strategic plan have charged the exchange with the mission of becoming a regionally important and complete secondary market, with a variety of quality products – such as this one.’
The ETF aims to attract institutional and retail investors, particularly those who want to invest in the stock market and minimise risk, through its liquidity, real-time price quotation and the availability of market-makers. The fund’s trade commission is only 0.10 per cent, Patareeya notes.
‘One Asset Management and its team would like to thank the commission and the stock exchange, who are the initiators of Thailand’s SET50 ETF,’ says managing director Somjin Sornpaisarn. ‘Since the exchange chose One Asset Management to establish and manage the country’s first equity ETF, we have been educating securities companies’ marketing officers and the public in preparation for its introduction.’
The ThaiDEX SET50 ETF is an open-ended fund based on the exchange’s SET50 index.
‘The ETF has some special characteristics, such as real-time trading through any securities company, and One Asset Management as fund manager, whose task is to beat the underlying index,’ Somjin says.
KGI Securities will be the market-maker responsible for creating liquidity, as well as one of the participating dealers alongside Kim Eng Securities (Thailand), Thanachart Securities, Bualuang Securities and Citigroup Securities. Investors can buy shares in the ThaiDEX SET50 ETF through any of the five participating dealers, Siam City Bank and appointed securities companies, during the offer period that ends on August 28, with a minimum investment of THB5,000 (USD145).
