SE Asia Stocks-Subdued as U.S. political woes keep investors on sidelines

* Trading volumes largely subdued

* Singapore to close early ahead of Christmas

By Ambar Warrick

Dec 24 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets

remained subdued on Monday as political uncertainty in the

United States continued to dampen investors' risk appetite.

A cautious mood pervaded in broader Asia as market

participants evaluated a government shutdown in the world's

largest economy, as well as rumours of a change in its central

bank head. Local trading volumes were also low in light of the

holiday season.

The Singapore benchmark index was largely flat, as

mild gains in financial stocks were offset by declines in

industrial and consumer stocks. The index was set for its third

straight session of losses.

Singapore Telecommunications' stock ranked among

the largest intraday losers on the index, while that of banking

heavyweight DBS Group rose about 0.5 percent.

The island state's bourse was slated to close early ahead of

Christmas. Trading volumes stood at a fraction of their 30-day

average.

Thailand's index was also largely flat, as shares of

oil and gas explorer PTT PCL - which fell as much as

1.1 percent - declined in tandem with oil prices, while

infrastructure developer Bangkok Expressway and Metro PCL's

stock supported the index by gaining as much as 4.6

percent.

Meanwhile, indexes of Vietnam and Malaysia

rose marginally, while Philippine and Indonesian

markets were closed until Wednesday.

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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS AS AT 0409 GMT

STOCK MARKETS

Change on the day

Market Current Previous close Pct Move

Singapore 3042.53 3046.04 -0.12

Bangkok 1595.27 1595.33 0.00

Kuala Lumpur 1675.81 1670.28 0.33

Ho Chi Minh 915.67 912.26 0.37

Change on year

Market Current End 2017 Pct Move

Singapore 3042.53 3402.92 -10.59

Bangkok 1595.27 1753.71 -9.03

Manila 7479.71 8558.42 -12.60

Jakarta 6163.596 6355.654 -3.02

Kuala Lumpur 1675.81 1796.81 -6.73

Ho Chi Minh 915.67 984.24 -6.97

(Reporting by Ambar Warrick in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi

Aich)