SE Asia Stocks-Down; Thailand gains on cbank economy view
By Christina Martin
Feb 8 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian markets ended lower
on Wednesday following an overnight plunge in oil prices, while
Thai shares gained after the central bank kept interest rate
unchanged, but said the economy would recover at a faster pace.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan
was up 0.1 percent in late trade, after spending
most of the session in the negative territory.
"The yen recovered and bounced back while crude oil
continued to weaken and regional equities took their cue from
those two," said Manny Cruz, chief strategist at Asiasec
Equities Inc.
The Thai index gained 0.4 percent to close at its
highest since Jan 30, after the Bank of Thailand left interest
rate unchanged near record lows, saying the economy would
recover at a faster pace despite facing uncertainties.
The bank's monetary policy committee said the current rate
was accommodative for economic growth, but warned of a strong
baht.
All sectors gained except energy.
Philippine shares declined for a second straight
session, down 0.4 percent, hurt by real estate, telecom and
consumer staple stocks.
Universal Robina and Ayala Land lost 2
percent and 1.7 percent.
Telecommunications service provider PLDT Inc was
the worst performer on the index, slipping as much as 3.3
percent, its biggest percentage loss in nearly four weeks.
Indonesian shares fell 0.4 percent with financial
and consumer discretionary leading the losses.
Bank Mandiri (Persero) shed as much as 2 percent,
its biggest intraday loss in five weeks while media business
Elang Mahkota Teknologi lost 6.6 percent to hit its
lowest in three weeks.
Singapore shares pared earlier losses to end 0.2
percent down, dragged by telecom, real estate and industrial
stocks.
Singapore Telecommunications and Keppel Corp
, among the biggest losers on the index, declined 0.8
percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.
Vietnam remained flat through most of the day.
Malayasia was little changed after government data
showed its exports beat forecast and grew for a second
consecutive month in December on strong demand for electrical
and electronic goods, and commodities.
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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS
Change on day
Market Current Previous Close Pct Move
Singapore 3066.53 3071.64 -0.17
Bangkok 1589.29 1582.52 0.43
Manila 7234.82 7262.64 -0.38
Jakarta 5361.088 5381.475 -0.38
Kuala Lumpur 1688.5 1688.84 -0.02
Ho Chi Minh 702.04 701.91 0.02
Change this year
Market Current End 2016 Pct Move
Singapore 3066.53 2880.76 6.45
Bangkok 1589.29 1542.94 3.00
Manila 7234.82 6840.64 5.76
Jakarta 5361.088 5296.711 1.22
Kuala Lumpur 1688.5 1641.73 2.85
Ho Chi Minh 702.04 664.87 5.59
(Reporting by Christina Martin; Editing by Vyas Mohan)