SE Asia Stocks-Philippines jumps to near 3-month closing high

* Malaysia closes at highest level in 2-1/2 months

* Singapore shares fall, financials drag

* Thailand rises 0.8 pct, cenbank holds rate

By Karthika Suresh Namboothiri

Aug 8 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets rose on

Wednesday, with Philippine shares bouncing back to their highest

close in nearly three months ahead of economic growth data and a

central bank meeting.

The key Philippine stock index closed 1.6 percent

higher, with holding firms and property plays leading the

charge.

Inflation surged in July, but the rise in U.S. stock markets

on Tuesday as well as the positioning ahead of second-quarter

GDP data bolstered investor confidence, said Manny Cruz, an

analyst with Manila-based Asiasec Equities Inc.

The Philippine central bank looks certain to raise interest

rates for a third time this year at its meeting on Thursday,

which comes after government data showed annual inflation moved

further above its 2 percent-4 percent target range for 2018.

The economy likely expanded at a slightly slower pace in the

second quarter, according to a Reuters poll.

However, imports in June grew at the fastest pace this year

while exports dipped, bringing the trade deficit to more than $3

billion for a third straight month, government data showed.

Among top gainers on Wednesday, property developer SM Prime

Holdings rose 2.9 percent to its highest close since

Jan. 29.

Thai shares closed 0.8 percent higher after rising

as much as 1 percent to their highest since June 13. Gas

supplier PTT Public Co gained 1.4 percent, while

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services climbed 3.9 percent.

The Thai central bank held its benchmark interest rate near

record lows, as expected, saying Southeast Asia's second-largest

economy continued to face little inflationary pressure as growth

pace improved.

Malaysian shares climbed 0.8 percent to a

two-and-half-month closing high, while Indonesian stocks

erased early gains to end slightly higher.

Singapore shares declined 0.4 percent, dragged by

financials. DBS Group Holdings fell 3 percent to a

two-week closing low, while Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp

edged lower.

Asia shares ex-Japan rose in the middle of a

strong second-quarter U.S. earnings season and on expectations

that China will ramp up fiscal stimulus to cushion the impact of

its trade dispute with the United States.

For Asian Companies click;

SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS

Change on the day

Market Current Previous close Pct Move

Singapore 3326.74 3340 -0.40

Bangkok 1721.64 1707.26 0.84

Manila 7851.46 7725.85 1.63

Jakarta 6094.829 6091.25 0.06

Kuala Lumpur 1804.73 1791.09 0.76

Ho Chi Minh 966.27 956.79 0.99

Change on year

Market Current End 2017 Pct Move

Singapore 3326.74 3402.92 -2.24

Bangkok 1721.64 1753.71 -1.83

Manila 7851.46 8558.42 -8.26

Jakarta 6094.829 6355.654 -4.10

Kuala Lumpur 1804.73 1796.81 0.44

Ho Chi Minh 966.27 984.24 -1.83

(Additional reporting by Sumeet Gaikwad; Editing by Subhranshu

Sahu)