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Bank Failures in US and Europe Impaction Thailand’s Exports

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Bank Failures in US and Europe Impaction Thailand's Exports

Thailand’s Office of Industrial Economics, reports Thai exports are likely to be indirectly affected by banking problems in the United States and Europe, slowing an already sluggish sector and causing a drop in the Manufacturing Production Index (MPI). (OIE).

The index fell 0.45% to 98.9 points on a monthly basis in February, and the March MPI is unlikely to improve as foreign demand for Thai products remains weak amidst a sluggish economy in the United States and Europe, according to the director of the OIE, Warawan Chitaroon.

Thai exports could be hampered by banking turmoil in the United States, Switzerland, and Germany, although the local financial sector anticipates a limited impact.

Silicon Valley Bank in California and Signature Bank in New York failed, while 167-year-old Credit Suisse in Zurich required a bailout and shares of Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt declined.

According to Mrs. Warawan, the repercussions of these economic difficulties may become more apparent in March through orders for international goods.

“They may trigger a cautious mood, causing foreign customers, particularly in the United States and Europe, to be more cautious with their spending,” she said. This will have a negative impact on Thai manufacturers and exporters, as customers may delay placing orders or request alterations to product specifications.

As a result of sluggish Western economies, furniture exports are a concern, according to Mrs. Warawan, especially for those made from rubber wood. China also increased its furniture production, intensifying global market competition.

The OIE reported a 56.5% annual decline in Thai furniture production in February. The MPI was impacted by decreases in furniture, hard disc drive, and plastic pallet production last month.

Increasing tourist arrivals, particularly from China, were primarily responsible for the index’s tourism-related expansion. The production of bags, particularly travel bags, increased by 34.7% year-over-year, while oil refinery output increased by 7.3% in response to the rising demand for jet fuel.

The increase in sugar production was attributable to higher cane production and rising demand from the food and beverage industries.

The increased supply of semiconductors contributed to a 6.6% annual increase in automobile production. Mrs. Warawan believes that tourism will play a significant role in March’s MPI.

Thailand’s Tourism Confidence Index Weak in First Quarter

The Tourism Confidence Index for the first quarter remained below the pre-pandemic level due to concerns about high energy costs and Chinese companies employing nominees.

According to Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), the index increased two points from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023.

The index is lower than the 98 recorded in the first quarter of 2019, and a reading below 100 indicates low confidence.

The increase in confidence was attributed to a busy holiday season, including the New Year and Chinese New Year celebrations.

As a result of China’s reopening in January, the number of arrivals from this market increased 68% from December to January.

The index, which surveyed 740 tourism operators in Thailand between February 22 and March 12, also revealed that the private sector was most concerned about electricity bills, with a score of 4.5 out of 5, followed by fuel prices (3.9) and higher travel costs such as expensive airfares and fuel prices (3.5). (3.89).

Lower purchasing power and the Russian invasion of Ukraine received ratings of 3.67 and 3.39, respectively.

Mr. Chamnan stated that additional negative factors persist, including PM2.5 air pollution that choked tourism in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, with the northern province being particularly affected by the smog.

However, concerns about a labour shortage have subsided, posting the lowest score in the index at 2.81, as the industry has hired more staff and only needs approximately 600,000 workers to reach its employment rate prior to the pandemic, according to TCT.

By region, the North and East reported the highest levels of confidence, at 78, followed by Bangkok with 75 and the central region with 69.

At 80, spa and massage, inbound operators, and souvenir shops reported the highest levels of confidence, whereas entertainment venues remained the least confident.

This quarter, the majority of tourism operators anticipate their revenue to reach 64% of the pre-pandemic level, before rising to 68% in the second quarter.

According to him, tourism operators have begun to express concern about Chinese companies flooding Thailand and competing with local entrepreneurs. Mr. Chamnan stated that they are concerned that tourism revenue could eventually leave the country.

A TCT study found that 33% of Thai operators were impacted by Chinese businesses, as the newcomers can attract guests from the mainland by offering cheaper products and services, while primarily employing foreign workers, thereby depriving locals of tourism employment opportunities.

According to the study, the majority of cases were reported in major tourism provinces, including Phuket, Krabi, Phangnga, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, and Trat, where international visitors accounted for more than 60 percent of the tourism market.

At 40%, spas and massage parlours were hit the hardest, followed by inbound operators and transport businesses, both at 35%. He urged tourism businesses directly impacted by illegal Chinese operators to report the evidence to TCT. Mr. Chamnan stated that the council will help report the issue to the government and attempt to initiate a discussion.

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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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