- USDTHB: moving in the range 33.12 – 33.16 this morning, supportive level at 33.05 resistance level at 33.30
- SET Index: 1,621.62 (-0.30%), 18 Aug 2026
- S&P 500 Index: 7,691.76 (-0.69%), 18 Aug 2026
- Thai 10-year government bond yield (interpolated): 2.136 (+2.45 bps), 18 Aug 2026
- US 10-year treasury yield: 4.71 (-1.00 bps), 18 Aug 2026
- Oil edges higher as middle east tensions remain elevated
- Mixed US data signal moderating economic momentum
- US-Canada trade talks remain unresolved ahead of tariff deadline
- UK labour market loses more momentum in second quarter
- Thai bank lending expands, but SME loans remain weak
- Dollar holds firm amid elevated US yields
Oil edges higher as middle east tensions remain elevated
Crude oil edged higher on Tuesday as renewed Middle East tensions kept geopolitical risk elevated. Prices briefly rose after President Trump said no talks with Iran were underway or scheduled and reaffirmed that the US naval blockade remained in force. Iran also rejected ceasefire proposals, while a vessel was reportedly struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, reinforcing concerns over regional security and energy flows.
Mixed US data signal moderating economic momentum
US data were mixed in July, pointing to softer demand but resilient underlying activity. Import prices fell 0.4% M/M on lower fuel costs, while industrial and manufacturing production both rose 0.2%. Housing remained weak, with pending home sales down 2.3% and housing starts plunging 12.4%, although a 5.0% rise in building permits offered a more positive forward-looking signal.
US-Canada trade talks remain unresolved ahead of tariff deadline
US-Canada trade negotiations remain unresolved ahead of the August 19 tariff deadline. President Trump and Canadian PM Carney spoke overnight, but no agreement was reached that would delay the planned 50% US tariffs on Canadian goods. A potential deal is reportedly now awaiting Trump’s decision, with key sticking points remaining around autos and lumber. Canada is considering accepting lower Section 232 tariffs in exchange for concessions, including lifting provincial restrictions on US alcohol and removing counter-tariffs on autos.
UK labour market loses more momentum in second quarter
The UK labour market continued to weaken in Q2, with private-sector wage growth slowing to 2.8% and unemployment holding at 4.9%. Job vacancies fell further, while payroll employment declined for a sixth straight month in July. Overall wage growth remained at 3.5%, supported by stronger public-sector pay. The softer labour market supports expectations that the BoE will keep rates unchanged for now.
Thai bank lending expands, but SME loans remain weak
Thailand’s commercial bank loans grew 2.0% YoY in Q2, driven by a 6.6% rise in large corporate lending, while SME loans contracted 4.6% for a 16th straight quarter. Asset quality remained stable, with the NPL ratio at 2.82%, while bank profits rose 6.8% YoY to THB83bn.
Dollar holds firm amid elevated US yields
The 10-year government bond yield (interpolated) on the previous trading day was 2.136, +2.45 bps. The benchmark government bond yield (LB365A) was 2.10, +3.00 bps. Meantime, the latest closed US 10-year bond yields was 4.71, -1.0 bps. USDTHB on the previous trading day closed around 33.07, moving in a range of 33.12 – 33.16 this morning. USDTHB could be closed between 33.05 – 33.30 today. The dollar edged higher on Tuesday amid thin trading conditions, with limited direction from a busy but low-tier US data calendar and a lack of Fed commentary. Elevated US Treasury yields remained in focus and continued to weigh on market sentiment ahead of the FOMC minutes. The euro traded choppily around 1.1500 with little reaction to comments from ECB’s Lane, while the British pound softened following weaker-than-expected UK labor data, including a higher unemployment rate. The Japanese yen also weakened modestly, with USD/JPY trading in a tight range around 159.00.
Sources : ttb analytics , Bloomberg, CNBC, Trading economics, Investing, CEIC
