Thai billionaire leads four firms with top-20 return potential

Bangkok

INVESTORS looking for upside potential in South-east Asia's emerging economies would do well to follow Thai billionaire Dhanin Chearavanont's companies. Four that are controlled by Mr Dhanin and his family - Charoen Pokphand Foods Pcl, CP All Pcl, Siam Makro Pcl and True Corp - are ranked by analysts in the region's top 20 in terms of return potential over the next 12 months. CP Foods, one of the world's biggest poultry, pork and seafood processors, is forecast to rally 28 per cent within a year, the top projected gain based on consensus analyst price targets compiled by Bloomberg. CP All, which operates 7-Eleven and Lotus retail stores, is the fourth with 17.3 per cent upside.

Siam Makro, a cash-and-carry retailer, will provide a 13 per cent return within a year, according to the consensus. That ranked it 15th among the 80 biggest companies by market capitalisation in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam at the start of this week. By revenue, Siam Makro and CP All are not only both among South-east Asia's biggest store operators, but also key sales outlets for CP-branded foods, including chicken, hot dogs, bacon, ready-to-cook meals and even pet products.