SE Asia Stocks-Markets edge higher in line with broader Asia

* Malaysia, Indonesia rise for fourth session

* Vietnam hits 8-mth low before bouncing back

(Updates Thailand closing figures)

By Karthika Suresh Namboothiri

July 12 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets closed

marginally higher on Thursday, tracking a slight recovery in

broader Asia and as upbeat economic data boosted sentiment.

Asian shares outside Japan climbed 0.4

percent as markets tried to consolidate from the previous

session's steep losses when fears of an escalation in the

U.S.-China trade war jolted investor sentiment.

"The U.S.-China trade conflict has been gaining heavy

headlines for some time now. So basically I think most of the

investment negatives have been baked into the cake," said Taye

Shim, head of research at Jakarta-based Mirae Asset Sekuritas.

Philippine shares ticked up and posted their highest

close in more than three weeks with financials leading the

gains.

Ayala Corp rose 3 percent and Bank of the Philippine

Islands climbed 2 percent.

Singapore shares advanced with casino operator

Genting Singapore rising 3.3 percent and United

Overseas Bank Ltd gaining 0.3 percent.

Malaysian shares rose 0.9 percent to their highest

close in three weeks. Bankers CIMB Group Bhd closed

4.7 percent higher, while Malayan Banking Bhd gained

nearly 4 percent.

Malaysia's industrial production index rose 3 percent in May

from a year earlier, supported by gains in the manufacturing and

electricity generation sectors, government data showed.

Vietnam stocks closed 0.6 percent higher, snapping

three consecutive sessions of declines and recovering from an

eight-month low hit earlier in the session.

Thai shares rose for a fourth session in five, with

Energy Absolute PCL climbing 5.6 percent and Siam Cement

gaining 0.5 percent.

The country's exports are expected to increase 9 percent

this year, more than the previous forecast, the commerce

minister said.

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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS

Change on the day

Market Current Previous close Pct Move

Singapore 3253.01 3249.08 0.12

Bangkok 1640.93 1636.63 0.26

Manila 7350.58 7333.73 0.23

Jakarta 5907.872 5893.359 0.25

Kuala Lumpur 1703.57 1688.77 0.88

Ho Chi Minh 898.51 893.16 0.60

Change on year

Market Current End 2017 Pct Move

Singapore 3253.01 3402.92 -4.41

Bangkok 1640.93 1753.71 -6.43

Manila 7350.58 8558.42 -14.11

Jakarta 5907.872 6355.654 -7.05

Kuala Lumpur 1703.57 1796.81 -5.19

Ho Chi Minh 898.51 984.24 -8.71

(Reporting by Karthika Suresh Namboothiri; Additional reporting

by Aditya Soni

Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)