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Bank of Thailand Pressured to Cut Rates as Baht Hits 6 Month Low

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Bank of Thailand Pressured to Cut Rates, baht

The Bank of Thailand, under pressure from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to cut interest rates, may adjust monetary policy if the economic outlook changes and structural challenges reduce the country’s long-term potential growth and strengthen the baht

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has requested the country’s four largest commercial banks to drop loan interest rates for disadvantaged groups and small enterprises after the Bank of Thailand repeatedly refused his requests to reduce borrowing costs from a decade-high.

Bank of Thailand deputy governor Ms Alisara Mahasandana told reporters that the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee welcomes all input but must balance immediate and long-term economic factors when setting interest rates.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the finance minister, has openly questioned the central bank’s monetary policy. He often stated that rate reduction would help the economy deal with heavy household debt and China’s recession.

The Premier announced on Tuesday that he had asked the CEOs of Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Kasikornbank, and Krungthai Bank to make the case for lower interest rates for borrowers who are unable to afford the high cost of money.

“Vulnerable groups like SMEs have a problem with high interest rates… I asked the four to consider interest rates,” Mr Sretta told reporters, adding that Thai financial institutions are robust.

“The MPC encourages and cherishes feedback from all stakeholders… However, when making a monetary policy decision, the MPC must weigh the short-term and long-term impacts on monetary policy objectives… and they may have differing views,”

Ms Alisara said on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington. Alisara, an MPC member, stated that monetary policy might be “recalibrated” if the growth and inflation outlooks changed and structural obstacles “clearly lower our long-term potential growth”.

Using The Fed's Preferred Inflation Gauge To Test Stocks' Record Highs

US Fed to Lending Raise Rates: File Image

US Fed and war put pressure on the baht

In a majority decision on April 10, the central bank maintained the key interest rate at 2.50%, its highest level over a decade. The next review date is June 12. The central bank expects Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy to rise 2.6% this year and 3.0% in 2025, up from 1.9% last year.

Ms Alisara stated that while increased private consumption and tourism were expected to boost the economy, concerns remained, particularly how well exports would rebound.

She forecasted that annual headline inflation would revert to the BoT’s target range of 1-3% by the end of the year. Energy subsidies have held consumer prices below year-ago levels for six consecutive months through March, but prices will likely climb in May.

Ms Alisara stated that negative headline inflation “does not reflect weak demand; it is not deflation.”

She predicted that the baht would be volatile due to external reasons, particularly dollar strength. The baht has lost 7.6% against the US dollar this year, becoming Asia’s second-worst-performing currency after the yen.

While the lower-yielding baht lags other regional currencies, Ms Alisara expects domestic factors to be more supportive than last year, citing stronger economic activity and Thailand’s current account surplus.

According to Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research), the baht could fall to around 37.20 baht to the US dollar later this week, down from a six-month low of 36.9 baht on Monday, due to ongoing concerns about the Middle East conflict, while US economic data due this week are likely to support dollar strength.

Thai Baht Hits Seven-Month Low Amid Political Uncertainty and Dollar Strength

Thai Baht Hits Six-Month Low: File Image

Baht to USD has depreciated 7.6% this year

In early morning trade on Monday, the Thai Baht was quoted at 36.97 baht to the dollar, the lowest in six months, before rallying back to 36.94-96, compared to Friday’s finish of 36.86, driven by falling global gold prices and changes in the Chinese yuan and Japanese yen.

The dollar, widely seen as the safest currency, has strengthened in response to persistent tensions in the Middle East and the probability that the Federal Reserve would not rush to decrease interest rates while the US economy thrives.

“Both the ongoing Middle East conflict and the strong dollar have influenced the baht, which has depreciated 7.6% this year to date,” said Kanjana Chockpisansin, K-Research’s head of research, banking, and finance.

The Thai baht is the region’s second weakest currency, trailing only the yen, which has dropped 8.8% this year. The South Korean win, however, has fallen 6.4% this year, according to K-Research.

Last week, Fed policymakers’ comments and higher-than-expected inflation statistics prompted markets to lower expectations for rate cuts in the United States and other developed nations. The US will announce first-quarter GDP numbers on Thursday, and the core Personal Consumption Expenditure price index, known to capture inflation, will be announced on Friday.

“If those US economic data exceed the market’s expectations, it increases the likelihood that the Fed will keep interest rates higher for longer. As a result, the dollar will gain strength, causing the baht to devalue further,” Ms Kanjana told the Bangkok Post.

She added that K-Research, like Kasikornbank, believes the US central bank will decrease interest rates on at least two occasions this year.

Ms Kanjana stated that K-Research anticipates the baht to trade from 36.70 to 37.20 baht to the dollar this week, given that geopolitical tensions are unlikely to subside immediately.

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PepsiCo Reduces Revenue Projections As North American Snacks And Key International Markets Underperform.

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(VOR News) – In the third quarter of this year, Pepsi’s net income was $2.93 billion, which is equivalent to $2.13 per share. This was attributed to the company.

This is in stark contrast to net income of $3.09 billion, which is equivalent to $2.24 per share, during the same period in the previous year. The company’s earnings per share were $2.31 when expenses were excluded.

Net sales decreased by 0.6%, totaling $23.32 billion. Organic sales increased by 1.3% during the quarter when the effects of acquisitions, divestitures, and currency changes are excluded.

Pepsi’s beverage sales fell this quarter.

The most recent report indicates that the beverage and food sectors of the organization experienced a 2% decline in volume. Consumers of all income levels are demonstrating a change in their purchasing habits, as indicated by CEOs’ statements from the previous quarter.

Pepsi’s entire volume was adversely affected by the lackluster demand they encountered in North America. An increasing number of Americans are becoming more frugal, reducing the number of snacks they ingest, and reducing the number of times they purchase at convenience stores.

Furthermore, Laguarta observed that the increase in sales was partially attributed to the election that occurred in Mexico during the month of June.

The most significant decrease in volume was experienced by Quaker Foods North America, which was 13%. In December, the company announced its initial recall in response to a potential salmonella infection.

Due to the probability of an illness, the recall was extended in January. Pepsi officially closed a plant that was implicated in the recalls in June, despite the fact that manufacturing had already been halted.

Jamie Caulfield, the Chief Financial Officer of Pepsi and Laguarta, has indicated that the recalls are beginning to have a lessening effect.

Frito-Lay experienced a 1.5% decline in volume in North America. The company has been striving to improve the value it offers to consumers and the accessibility of its snack line, which includes SunChips, Cheetos, and Stacy’s pita chips, in the retail establishments where it is sold.

Despite the fact that the category as a whole has slowed down in comparison to the results of previous years, the level of activity within the division is progressively increasing.

Pepsi executives issued a statement in which they stated that “Salty and savory snacks have underperformed year-to-date after outperforming packaged food categories in previous years.”

Pepsi will spend more on Doritos and Tostitos in the fall and winter before football season.

The company is currently promoting incentive packets for Tostitos and Ruffles, which contain twenty percent more chips than the standard package.

Pepsi is expanding its product line in order to more effectively target individuals who are health-conscious. The business announced its intention to acquire Siete Foods for a total of $1.2 billion approximately one week ago. The restaurant serves Mexican-American cuisine, which is typically modified to meet the dietary needs of a diverse clientele.

The beverage segment of Pepsi in North America experienced a three percent decrease in volume. Despite the fact that the demand for energy drinks, such as Pepsi’s Rockstar, has decreased as a result of consumers visiting convenience stores, the sales of well-known brands such as Gatorade and Pepsi have seen an increase throughout the quarter.

Laguarta expressed his opinion to the analysts during the company’s conference call, asserting, “I am of the opinion that it is a component of the economic cycle that we are currently experiencing, and that it will reverse itself in the future, once consumers feel better.”

Additionally, it has been noted that the food and beverage markets of South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa have experienced a decline in sales volume. The company cut its forecast for organic revenue for the entire year on Tuesday due to the business’s second consecutive quarter of lower-than-anticipated sales.

The company’s performance during the quarter was adversely affected by the Quaker Foods North America recalls, the decrease in demand in the United States, and the interruptions that occurred in specific international markets, as per the statements made by Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta.

Pepsi has revised its forecast for organic sales in 2024, shifting from a 4% growth rate to a low single-digit growth rate. The company reiterated its expectation that the core constant currency profitability per share will increase by a minimum of 8% in comparison to the previous year.

The company’s shares declined by less than one percent during premarket trading. The following discrepancies between the company’s report and the projections of Wall Street were identified by LSEG in a survey of analysts:

SOURCE: CNBC

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

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(VOR News) – Old National Bank, a commercial bank with its headquarters in the Midwest, and Infosys, a firm that specializes in information technology, have recently entered into a strategic expansion of their link, which has been in place for the past four years.

This expansion is more likely to take place sooner rather than later, with the likelihood being higher.

For the purpose of making it possible for Old National Bank to make use of the services, solutions, and platforms that are offered by Infosys, the objective of this expansion is to make it possible for the bank to transform its operations and processes through the application of automation and GenAI, as well as to change significant business areas.

This lets the bank leverage Infosys’ services, solutions, and platforms.

Old National Bank Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said, “At Old National, we are committed to creating exceptional experiences for both our customers and our fellow employees.”

This statement is applicable to Old National Bank. Infosys is carefully managing the business process innovations that it is putting us through, putting a strong emphasis on efficiency and value growth throughout the process to ensure that it is carried out efficiently.

This is a routine occurrence throughout the entire operation. Because of Infosys’ dedication to our development and success, we are incredibly appreciative of the assistance they have provided.

Old National has been receiving assistance from Infosys in the process of updating its digital environment since the year 2020, according to the aforementioned company.

Ever since that time, the company has been providing assistance. The provision of this assistance has been accomplished through the utilization of a model that is not only powerful but also capable of functioning on its own power.

Infosys currently ranks Old National thirty-first out of the top thirty US banks.

This ranking is based on the fact that Old National is the nation’s largest banking corporation.

It is estimated that the total value of the company’s assets is approximately fifty-three billion dollars, while the assets that are currently being managed by the organization are valued at thirty billion dollars.

Dennis Gada, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, stated that “Old National Bank and Infosys possess a robust cultural and strategic alignment in the development, management, and enhancement of enterprise-scale solutions to transform the bank’s operations and facilitate growth.”

This remark referenced the exceptional cultural and strategic synergy between the two organizations. Dennis Gada is the one who asserted this claim. This was articulated explicitly concerning the exceptional cultural congruence and strategy alignment of the two organizations.

We are pleased to announce that the implementation of Infosys Topaz will substantially expedite the transformation of Old National Bank’s business processes and customer service protocols. We are exceedingly enthusiastic about this matter. We are quite thrilled about this specific component of the scenario.

Medium-sized banks operating regionally will continue to benefit from our substantial expertise in the sector, technology, and operations. This specific market segment of Infosys will persist in benefiting from our extensive experience. This phenomenon will enable this market sector to sustain substantial growth and efficiency benefits.

SOURCE: THBL

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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

States Sue TikTok, Claiming Its Platform Is Addictive And Harms The Mental Health Of Children

Qantas Airways Apologizes After R-Rated Film Reportedly Airs On Every Screen During Flight

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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

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water

The largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States stated Monday that it had been the target of a cyberattack, forcing the company to halt invoicing to consumers.

water

American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

American Water, based in New Jersey and serving over 14 million people in 14 states and 18 military facilities, said it learned of the unauthorized activity on Thursday and quickly took precautions, including shutting down certain systems. The business does not believe the attack had an impact on its facilities or operations and said employees were working “around the clock” to determine the origin and scale of the attack.

water

The corporation stated that it has alerted legal enforcement and is cooperating with them. It also stated that consumers will not be charged late fees while its systems are unavailable.

According to their website, American Water operates over 500 water and wastewater systems in around 1,700 communities across California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

SOURCE | AP

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