EMERGING MARKETS-Asian stocks, FX drop on virus woes; Singapore shares defy broader gloom

(.) * Graphic: World FX rates http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh * Graphic: Foreign flows into Asian stocks https://tmsnrt.rs/3lKhL5I * Singapore shares set for third consecutive weekly gain * S. Korean shares down for a fourth straight session * Indonesia passes Philippines with most COVID-19 cases in SE Asia By Shriya Ramakrishnan Oct 16 (Reuters) - Singapore shares rose on Friday as exports from the city-state grew for the fourth straight month, while caution prevailed across the rest of the region in a week dominated by concerns over stalled COVID-19 vaccine trials and fresh U.S. stimulus. Stocks and currencies across the region were hit by global fears of surging coronavirus infections and a lack of progress towards a U.S. fiscal stimulus deal, pulling money into the dollar and other traditional safe havens for capital. South Korean shares were the worst hit, falling nearly 1% while the won also came under pressure. In Indonesia, the rupiah dipped and its shares dropped 0.7% as the country overtook the Philippines with the highest coronavirus case numbers in Southeast Asia. "We are recommending low volatility equity strategies to our clients, which should provide downside protection in drawdown periods but also participate nicely in recovery phases," Sarah Lien, client portfolio manager at Eastspring Investments said as she pointed to upcoming U.S. elections, escalating U.S.-China tensions, and the ongoing pandemic as key risks. "We are selective buyers, and have been adding to interesting names related to 5G, semiconductors, consumer, real estate and internet that should be long-term winners." In Thailand, the baht dipped and shares fell, as investors continued to keep a wary eye on political developments. Scores of Thai protesters gathered at a commercial district in central Bangkok on Thursday in defiance of an overnight ban on protests aimed at ending three months of anti-government activity. The protests have targeted King Maha Vajiralongkorn as well as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader. Singapore's FTSE Straits Times Index, which has largely underperformed in the region so far this year, gained as much as 0.9%, but a stronger greenback kept a lid on gains for the Singapore dollar. Data released in early Asian trading hours showed Singapore's non-oil domestic exports expanded for a fourth consecutive month, rising 5.9% from a year earlier, driven by a jump in shipments from its key electronics sector. Sentiment also improved on plans for the formation of a travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore. "The establishment of a travel bubble with Hong Kong has painted a silver lining for further border easing, which is critical to Singapore's open economy," said Margaret Yang, a strategist at DailyFX. HIGHLIGHTS: ** Indonesian 10-year benchmark yields are down 1.7 basis points at 6.8% ** Top gainers on the Singapore STI include Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd up 2.11% at S$0.97, Venture Corporation Ltd up 2.1% at S$20.94, UOL Group Ltd up ​1.63% at S$6.87 ** Top losers on the Jakarta stock index include Bank Rakyat Indonesia Agroniaga Tbk PT down 6.99% at 426 rupiah, Alumindo Light Metal Industry Tbk PT down 6.9% at 216 rupiah Asia stock indexes and currencies at 0421 GMT COUNTRY FX RIC FX FX INDEX STOCK STOCKS DAILY YTD % S YTD % % DAILY % Japan +0.19 +3.20 -0.22 -0.85 China +0.07 +3.62 -0.28 8.94 India 0.00 -2.73 0.71 -3.33 Indonesi -0.20 -5.51 -0.66 -19.49 a Malaysia -0.02 -1.56 -0.20 -4.90 Philippi -0.07 +4.06 -0.29 -24.24 nes S.Korea -0.28 +0.87 -0.88 6.49 Singapor -0.09 -1.21 0.41 -21.38 e Taiwan +0.64 +4.63 0.07 7.00 Thailand -0.03 -4.20 -0.28 -21.55 (Reporting by Shriya Ramakrishnan in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing)