BANGKOK, April 25 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stocks
edged up on Thursday as large- and mid-cap companies such as
Total Access Communication and Genting Singapore
rallied in a reporting season, but Indonesia retreated
after weak earnings by top firm Astra International Tbk
.
Singapore's Straits Times Index extended its gain
for a second day, closing up 0.5 percent at 3,337.71, the
highest in more than five years. The Thai SET index rose
1.3 percent to 1,574.25, a five-week closing high.
Strength in Asia helped lift broader market sentiment and
bargain hunting in recently beaten-down large caps.
In Manila, conglomerate SM Investments Corp climbed
1.7 percent, while the Philippine benchmark composite index
was up 0.33 percent, rebounding after a 2.1 percent drop
over the past two sessions.
It had closed at a record high of 7,120.48 on Monday,
trading at relatively high valuations than others in Southeast
Asia, with a price-to-earnings multiple of more than 20 times,
prompting some profit taking.
After market hours, the Philippine central bank as expected
left its benchmark interest rate on hold at a record low of 3.5
percent, while cutting the rate on its special deposit account
by 50 basis points to boost economic activity and contain the
peso's strength.
Among weak spots, Indonesia fell 0.3 percent, led by
a 5.8 percent drop in PT Astra International Tbk after
the country's biggest firm by market value reported
lower-than-expected earnings.
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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS
Change on day
Market Current Prev Close Pct Move
TR SE Asia Index* 449.42 447.60 +0.41
Singapore 3337.71 3322.71 +0.45
Kuala Lumpur 1706.34 1707.35 -0.06
Bangkok 1574.25 1553.85 +1.31
Jakarta 4994.52 5011.61 -0.34
Manila 6995.46 6972.69 +0.33
Ho Chi Minh 476.59 472.89 +0.78
Change on year
Market Current End prev yr Pct Move
TR SE Asia Index* 449.42 424.10 +5.97
Singapore 3337.71 3167.08 +5.39
Kuala Lumpur 1706.34 1688.95 +1.03
Bangkok 1574.25 1391.93 +13.10
Jakarta 4994.52 4316.69 +15.70
Manila 6995.46 5812.73 +20.35
Ho Chi Minh 476.59 413.73 +15.19
* The Thomson Reuters South East Asia Index is a
highly representative indicator of stocks listed in Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Stock Market Volume (shares)
Market Current Volume Average Volume 30 days
Singapore 398,924,400 272,313,503
Kuala Lumpur 166,122,400 165,068,830
Bangkok 10,961,555 15,716,618
Jakarta 5,092,795,000 5,136,253,817
Manila 111,805 103,165
Ho Chi Minh 37,107 49,580
