SE Asia Stocks-Rise, Singapore leads gains

* Indonesia extends gains to over 2-month closing high

* Philippines recovers from 2-week low to close flat

By Nikhil Subba

Nov 8 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets closed

higher on Thursday, with Singapore leading the gains with a near

1 percent rise, driven by a post-election rally on Wall Street

and China's stronger-than-expected October export data.

Wall Street rose 2 percent on Wednesday as investors

breathed a sigh of relief following the U.S. midterm elections,

betting that a divided Congress would be good news for equities.

China reported stronger-than-expected exports for October as

shippers rushed goods to the United States, its biggest trading

partner, racing to beat higher tariffs that come into force in

January next year.

Exports rose 15.6 percent in October from a year earlier,

China's customs data showed.

"Front-loading export activities should continue in November

and December. So export growth data will continue to be stronger

than in previous holiday seasons," ING wrote in a note to

clients.

China is the biggest trade partner for most countries in

Southeast Asia.

Investors also awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary

policy decision due later in the day. The Fed is not expected to

raise interest rates until its next gathering in December,

however market participants are waiting to see whether it offers

clues about possible rate increases in December and in 2019.

Singapore shares gained 0.9 percent, buoyed by

industrial and energy stocks.

Keppel Corp closed 1.6 percent higher, while

conglomerate Jardine Matheson Holdings rose 3.2

percent.

Thai shares rose for a second straight session,

helped by gains in energy stocks as crude oil prices climbed.

Index heavyweight PTT PCL gained 1 percent to a

one-week closing high, while Thai Oil rose 0.9 percent.

Indonesian shares rose for an eighth session in a

row and posted their highest close since Aug. 31, driven by

gains in telecommunication and utility stocks.

Tiphone Mobile Indonesia surged nearly 23 percent

to a more than three-month closing high.

Malaysian shares closed higher for a second

consecutive session on the back of telecom stocks.

Telecommunications firm Digi.com climbed 1.4

percent, while Maxis Bhd rose 2 percent.

Philippine shares recovered from a two-week low to

close almost flat. Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp

rose 6.4 percent, while Semirara Mining and Power Corp

fell 3 percent.

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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS:

Change on day

Market Current Previous Pct Move

Close

Singapore 3093.24 3065.36 0.91

Bangkok 1681.73 1675.33 0.38

Manila 7035.71 7033.93 0.03

Jakarta 5976.806 5939.886 0.62

Kuala Lumpur 1721.42 1714.88 0.38

Ho Chi Minh 926.28 922.16 0.45

Change on year

Market Current End 2017 Pct Move

Singapore 3093.24 3402.92 -9.10

Bangkok 1681.73 1753.71 -4.10

Manila 7035.71 8558.42 -17.79

Jakarta 5976.806 6355.654 -5.96

Kuala Lumpur 1721.42 1796.81 -4.20

Ho Chi Minh 926.28 984.24 -5.89

(Reporting by Nikhil Subba; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)