SE Asia Stocks-Muted ahead of U.S. inflation data

* Ayala Land helps Philippines end higher

* Singapore, Thailand down 0.4 percent

By Christina Martin

Feb 14 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets were

subdued on Wednesday ahead of U.S. inflation numbers, with

Thailand recording its lowest close in three sessions weighed

down by financials and energy stocks.

All eyes are on U.S. consumer price readings due later in

the day that will be key to where stocks move in the short term,

given it was the risk of accelerating inflation that sparked the

recent global equity rout.

Thailand dropped 0.4 percent with PTT PCL

falling 1.6 percent and Bank of Ayudhya PCL losing 2.2

percent.

The country's central bank left its benchmark interest rate

unchanged on Wednesday, near record lows, saying it expects

inflation to stay largely subdued.

"For the most part we were dominated by a hefty dose of

dollar weakness ahead of a very important U.S. CPI data report.

Traders are positioning for weaker inflation data amidst broader

position adjustments," said Stephen Innes, head of trading for

Asia Pacific at Oanda.

Singapore shares slid 0.4 percent, dragged down by

financials.

"Certainly, China Lunar New Year is factoring into the

equation as traders reduce exposures." Innes added.

The country's fourth-quarter economic growth was revised

lower on a quarter-on-quarter basis on Wednesday, due to a

contraction in the manufacturing sector.

Heavyweights Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd

and United Overseas Bank Ltd reported strong

quarterly net profit growth but downgraded their exposure to the

weak oil and gas sector, making them the biggest losers on the

index.

Philippine shares recovered to end 0.3 percent higher

led by real estate stocks. Ayala Land Inc was the top

gainer on the index after posting a 21 percent jump in full-year

net income.

Malaysia closed slightly up, gaining some support

from data that showed its economy expanded 5.9 percent in the

fourth quarter, growing more strongly than expected.

Financials and materials outperformed other sectors on the

index, with CIMB Group Holdings Bhd adding 0.9 percent

and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd rising 1.3 percent.

Indonesia shares rose 0.3 percent to their highest

close in almost two weeks. Vietnam was closed for a holiday.

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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS

Change on the day

Market Current Previous close Pct Move

Singapore 3402.86 3415.07 -0.36

Bangkok 1792.09 1800.03 -0.44

Manila 8598.11 8570.14 0.33

Jakarta 6594.401 6578.178 0.25

Kuala Lumpur 1834.93 1833.02 0.10

Change on year

Market Current End 2017 Pct Move

Singapore 3402.86 3402.92 0.00

Bangkok 1792.09 1753.71 2.19

Manila 8598.11 8558.42 0.46

Jakarta 6594.401 6355.654 3.76

Kuala Lumpur 1834.93 1796.81 2.12

(Reporting by Christina Martin in Bengaluru; Editing by Vyas

Mohan)