Asian shares fall as rate-hike bets increase

RECAP: Asian stocks slid yesterday to cap a busy first week of the quarter for financial markets, with the dollar standing tall and bonds tumbling as resilient US jobs data has investors bracing for interest rates to head higher still.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand index slipped below 1,500 points as external risks and domestic political uncertainty affected sentiment.

The index moved in a range of 1,474.94 and 1,520.02 points this week before closing yesterday at 1,490.51, down 0.8% from the previous week, in daily turnover averaging 37.78 billion baht.

Institutions were net buyers of 3.22 billion baht, followed by brokers at 798.07 million. Foreign investors were net sellers of 6.51 billion baht, followed by retail investors at 2.49 billion.

NEWSMAKERS: Almost all US Federal Reserve officials at their June meeting indicated further tightening is likely, if…