SE Asia Stocks-Tepid ahead of Trump policy speech; Philippines falls 1 pct

Feb 28 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets moved

sideways in thin trade on Tuesday as investors remained watchful

of U.S. President Donald Trump's speech later in the day to a

joint session of Congress, in which he would lay out plans for

tax reform and infrastructure spending.

Markets have been awaiting more details on Trump's proposed

stimulus plans to judge if they would boost inflation and

economic growth, and add to the case for higher U.S. interest

rates.

Analysts have warned that a lack of clarity and details on

the proposed plans may end Wall Street's record-setting run.

Philippine shares were the biggest losers in

Southeast Asia, falling more than 1 percent in their third

straight losing session, dragged down by political uncertainties

following Friday's arrest of a Senator, who is a staunch critic

of President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

The arrest has "created some political tension, which I

think is being used as a reason for lightening up on assets like

equities," said Jose Vistan, an analyst at Manila-based AB

Capital Securities.

The total approved foreign direct investment (FDI) to the

Philippines fell 10.7 percent to 219 billion pesos ($4.36

billion) in 2016, DBS Group Research said in a note on Tuesday.

The amount of FDI into the Philippines as a percentage of the

gross domestic product (GDP) is still relatively low compared to

its regional peers, DBS said.

Real estate stocks led the decline in Philippines, with

Ayala Land falling 2 percent and Robinsons land

shedding 2.5 percent.

The Thai index rose marginally as investors awaited

January trade data due later in the day. Thailand's industrial

output rose for a third straight month in January, but missed

expectations, the Industry Ministry said on Tuesday.

Singapore stocks lost 0.3 percent, on track for a

third straight session of declines. Oil and natural gas sector

led the losses, with Keppel Corp and Sembcorp

Industries falling more than 1 percent.

For Asian Companies click;

SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS: CHANGE AT 0458 GMT

Market Current Previous Close Pct Move

Singapore 3099.17 3108.62 -0.30

Bangkok 1560.24 1558.03 0.14

Manila 7164.55 7232.47 -0.94

Jakarta 5401.386 5382.874 0.34

Kuala Lumpur 1693.7 1693.84 -0.01

Ho Chi Minh 716.02 717.44 -0.20

Change on year

Market Current End 2016 Pct Move

Singapore 3099.17 2880.76 7.58

Bangkok 1560.24 1542.94 1.12

Manila 7164.55 6840.64 4.7

Jakarta 5401.386 5296.711 1.98

Kuala Lumpur 1693.7 1641.73 3.17

Ho Chi Minh 716.02 664.87 7.7

($1 = 50.2580 Philippine pesos)

(Reporting by Susan Mathew in Begaluru; additonal reporting by

Christina Martin; Editing by Amrutha Gayathri)