SE Asia Stocks-Singapore rises to over 7-week high, Noble Group shares up

BANGKOK, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets

mostly edged higher on Monday as investors selectively bought

shares in a reporting season while Singapore's key index hit a

more than 7-week high, with shares of Noble Group

leading the pack.

Singapore's Straits Times Index was up 0.7 percent

at 3,308.13, climbing at one point to 3,312.68, the highest

since Sept. 19. Noble Group shares earlier jumped 7.5 percent

after third quarter net profit hit a 2-year high.

The announcement of a special dividend payout also helped

boost Noble Group shares.

A report that the Shanghai-Hong Kong stock exchanges link

was set to open on Nov. 17 set a positive tone for the Singapore

stock market, broker NRA Capital said in a report.

"For many, it's a great arbitrage opportunity between the

two stock markets," said the broker in a report. "Positive vibes

also helped Singapore shares rise on selective gains," it said.

Asian shares rose after U.S. jobs data pointed to solid

economic growth.

Hong Kong led gains in Asia after regulators set a

date for the long-awaited trading link between the Hong Kong and

Shanghai stock exchanges.

Malaysia's main index was up 0.3 percent after five

straight sessions of losses of almost 1 percent. The

Philippines' main index was a tad higher and Vietnam

extended gains for a third session, adding 0.7 percent.

Thai SET index and Jakarta's composite index

both fell, giving up early gains.

Shares of Thai top energy firm PTT dropped 2.7

percent, reflecting declining global oil prices.

Shares of canned tuna exporter Thai Union Frozen

bucked the trend, climbing 2.2 percent, with broker KT Zmico

predicting a core earnings growth of 86 percent year-on-year in

the third quarter due to growth in tuna businesses.

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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS

Change at 0554 GMT

Market Current Prev Close Pct Move

Singapore 3308.13 3286.39 +0.66

Kuala Lumpur 1829.89 1824.19 +0.31

Bangkok 1570.38 1578.37 -0.51

Jakarta 4980.96 4987.42 -0.13

Manila 7208.45 7205.72 +0.04

Ho Chi Minh 606.49 602.59 +0.65

(Reporting by Viparat Jantraprap; Editing by Biju Dwarakanath)