Asian shares dip but oil price plunge offers relief

RECAP: Asian shares eased back slightly yesterday as softer US economic data took some of the steam out of Wall Street, but plunging oil prices were good news for the inflation outlook.

Thai shares moved in a range of 1,377.69 and 1,422.68 points this week, before closing yesterday at 1,415.78, up 1.9% from the previous week, in daily turnover averaging 47.87 billion baht.

Foreign investors were net buyers of 1.89 billion baht, followed by brokers at 543 million. Retail investors were net sellers of 2.28 billion baht, followed by institutional investors at 149 million.

NEWSMAKERS: Oil prices headed for a fourth straight weekly loss after sinking into a bear market as signs of healthy supplies and rising stockpiles offset attempts by Saudi Arabia and Russia to keep declines in check. West Texas Intermediate traded near $73 a barrel after dropping…