SE Asia Stocks-Most markets rise on trade optimism

* Thailand up for 4th straight session

* Singapore hits near one-week low

By Sumeet Gaikwad

Aug 30 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets inched

higher on Thursday, in line with broader Asia on expectations

negotiations over the North American Free Trade Agreement

(NAFTA) will lead to a further easing of global trade tensions.

Leaders of the United States and Canada expressed optimism

on Wednesday that they could reach new NAFTA deal by a Friday

deadline as negotiators prepared to talk through the night.

The White House said it wanted to settle NAFTA before

negotiating with China. The deadline for public comment on U.S.

President Donald Trump's tariffs on another $200 billion of

Chinese goods is on Sept. 5, with the new measures possibly

taking effect next month.

"While the U.S. demonstrates willingness to compromise on

NAFTA, according to Canada's foreign minister, market doubts

that whether the U.S. will keep the same negotiating stance when

it comes to China," Mizuho Bank said in a note.

Philippine shares rose to a three-week high, driven

by industrials and financials. Blue chips SM Investments Corp

and BDO Unibank climbed about 0.6 percent and 1

percent, respectively.

Malaysian shares were largely flat as gains in

consumer staples and energy offset losses in telecom stocks.

Dialog Group, which provides technical services to

the oil & gas sector, rose 1.5 percent, while Telekom Malaysia

slid over 6 percent after the company reported a sharp

drop in quarterly net profit on Wednesday.

Indonesian shares rose marginally, helped by

financial and material stocks. Bank Central Asia led

the gains, adding 1.1 percent, while packaging materials maker

Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper was a close second with a 1

percent rise.

Thai shares advanced for a fourth consecutive

session with financial and industrial stocks leading the gains.

Airports of Thailand was among the top contributors,

adding 0.8 percent, while Bank of Ayudhya rose over 1

percent.

Thailand will release July trade data on Friday.

Meanwhile, Singapore shares fell 0.7 percent, dragged

by financials and industrials. United Overseas Bank

was the biggest drag with a drop of 1.6 percent, while Jardine

Matheson Holdings slid 1.2 percent.

For Asian Companies click;

SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS: AS AT 0405GMT

Change on the day

Market Current Previous close Pct Move

Singapore 3220.81 3243.92 -0.71

Bangkok 1727.18 1722.26 0.29

Manila 7855.42 7830.96 0.31

Jakarta 6075.184 6065.149 0.17

Kuala Lumpur 1819.16 1820.64 -0.08

Ho Chi Minh 985.88 988.17 -0.23

Change on year

Market Current End 2017 Pct Move

Singapore 3220.81 3402.92 -5.35

Bangkok 1727.18 1753.71 -1.51

Manila 7855.42 8558.42 -8.21

Jakarta 6075.184 6355.654 -4.41

Kuala Lumpur 1819.16 1796.81 1.24

Ho Chi Minh 985.88 984.24 0.17

(Reporting by Sumeet Gaikwad in Bengaluru; Editing by

Subhranshu Sahu)