Asian shares subdued as rate worries resurface

RECAP: Asian shares were subdued yesterday after Wall Street retreated on fresh signs of US labour-market resiliency, which could support another increase in interest rates after an expected move next week.

Domestically, investors took profits yesterday to reduce risk of political uncertainty ahead of the next prime ministerial vote on Thursday. The SET Index moved in a range of 1,515.45 and 1,545.70 points this week before closing yesterday at 1,529.25, up 0.75% from the previous week, in daily turnover averaging 49.29 billion baht.

Institutions were net buyers of 843.13 million baht, followed by brokers at 720.86 million and foreign investors at 567.36 million baht. Retail investors were net sellers of 2.13 billion baht.

NEWSMAKERS: US applications for jobless claims fell by 9,000 to a two-month low of 228,000, the Labor Department reported on…