Kaohoon International

• Asian stock markets trended higher, led by a significant surge in export-reliant economies across the Asia-Pacific region. • South Korea’s KOSPI index jumped over 4% as institutional investors returned to heavily discounted semiconductor stocks. • Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose more than 2%, reclaiming critical technical levels alongside gains in Hong Kong and mainland Chinese benchmarks.

• The Thai government maintained the VAT rate at 7% on 27 July 2026 to reduce living costs and boost consumer spending. • Thai exporters face a 2.5% price gap due to the U.S. 12.5% import levy on Thai products under Section 301. • This price gap puts Thai exporters at a disadvantage compared to rivals in Indonesia and Malaysia, who are taxed at 10%.

• Asian financial markets experienced a sharp decline on Tuesday, led by a selloff in semiconductor and technology stocks. • The Nikkei 225 in Japan fell 3.61% to 62,584.24, while the KOSPI in South Korea dropped 7.60% to 6,221.81, with companies like Tokyo Electron, Advantest, Samsung Electronics, and SK Hynix facing heavy selling. • A reported breakthrough in Chinese extreme ultraviolet lithography manufacturing contributed to the decline, raising fears of structural changes in the tech industry.

• The White House issued a Presidential Memorandum on July 23, 2026, establishing penalties for economies that fail to prohibit or enforce laws against goods produced with forced labor. • The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will determine which nations are penalized based on their effectiveness in combating forced labor imports. • In separate economic news, Thailand reported a strong surge in trade, with June 2026 exports increasing by 20.8% compared to June 2025.

• Investors are monitoring the Thai stock market on July 14, 2026, focusing on domestic earnings reports to guide trading strategies. • TISCO’s upcoming financial results are expected to be a primary driver of activity and sentiment within the banking sector. • Maybank Securities (Thailand) predicts early market consolidation as rising crude oil prices, triggered by renewed Middle East geopolitical risks, increase investor caution.

• Deloitte Thailand's "2026 M&A Trends" survey reveals a "tale of two markets" where corporate confidence in mergers and acquisitions is returning alongside increased caution. • Organizations are increasingly integrating AI into critical deal phases, including target screening, due diligence, risk assessment, and post-merger integration planning. • This shift matters as AI allows deal teams to analyze larger data volumes and identify risks faster, though human judgment remains essential for final decision-making.

• Thailand has secured over $4.1 billion (approximately 137 billion baht) in investment pledges for its electric vehicle supply chain. • These investments aim to solidify Thailand's position as the primary automotive manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia as global carmakers shift toward clean energy. • Analysts expect the Thai stock market to move sideways next week as investors await U.S. inflation data and a decision on a THB 400 billion loan decree.