BAT-3K upbeat

       Thai Storage Battery Plc (BAT-3K) may have its highest profit in more than a decade this year as an economic rebound lifts sales, according to executive director Veerawat Korphaibool.
       Net income may be about 400 million baht, compared with a loss of 472 million last year, he said.
       The company expects to sell at least 250,000 batteries a month for the rest of this year, up from a monthly average of 162,000 in the first quarter,he said.
       "It's a much better environment now, as people have more confidence to spend with the economic recovery," he said."Sales have rebounded as consumers are buying new automobile parts such as batteries after deferring them during the bad economy earlier this year."
       BAT-3K posted a net profit of 208 million baht in the first half, compared with a loss of 115 million a year earlier,as lower prices of lead cut production costs. However, lead prices have now risen and the company planned to raise battery prices by as much as 15%, Mr Veerawat said.
       BAT-3K shares closed yesterday on the SET at 61.50 baht, unchanged,in trade worth 516,000 baht.