* Graphic: World FX rates http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
* Graphic: Foreign flows into Asian stocks https://tmsnrt.rs/3lKhL5I
* Most Asian markets lower; won, Taiwan dollar outperform
* Philippine shares hit highest level since Aug 19
* Thai cabinet agrees special parliament amid protests -
media
By Shriya Ramakrishnan
Oct 20 (Reuters) - Philippine shares jumped nearly 2% on
Tuesday as an easing of coronavirus restrictions cheered
investors, while Thai markets headed for a fifth session of
losses as anti-government protests dented hopes for a domestic
economic recovery.
The Philippines, one of Asia's worst hit countries in the
pandemic, shortened curfew hours in Manila and eased regulations
on stay-at-home orders on Monday, just a week after a ban on
non-essential overseas travel was lifted.
With most emerging Asian currency and stock markets trading
lower, Manila's benchmark stock index .PSI surged 1.9% to its
highest since Aug. 19, boosted by gains in blue-chip consumer
stocks.
"Risk appetite seems to be improving as the nation gears up
for a broader and stronger economic rebound," said Jennifer
Lomboy, a fixed income fund manager at First Metro Asset
Management.
Markets also drew relief from the timely passage of the 2021
budget, after a leadership row nearly derailed debates on the
spending plan aimed at underpinning a recovery for the
economy "This gives the senate a two-week head start to study the
bill before sessions resume in November, hence (there is a) low
probability for a re-enacted budget," Lomboy added.
Thai stocks .SETI dipped another 0.3% to trade around
six-month intraday lows touched in the previous session, while
the baht THB=TH weakened as thousands of protesters took to
the streets in Bangkok on Monday, defying a ban on
demonstrations. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet agreed on
Tuesday to hold a special session of parliament next week, Thai
media said. "We had factored in rising political uncertainties, but the
political situation now is worse than expected," analysts at
CGS-CIMB Research said in a note.
"We remain cautious on the Thai market and prefer sectors
and companies that are less reliant on the domestic market."
Thailand has already suffered a record $9.16 billion in
equity outflows so far this year, exchange data shows.
Other stock markets and currencies across the region traded
lower as doubts about a stimulus package in the United State and
record daily coronavirus infections in Europe steered investors
away from riskier bets.
The South Korean won KRW=KFTC and Taiwan dollar TWD=TP
stood out with gains of 0.2% and 0.9% respectively against the
greenback.
HIGHLIGHTS:
** Indonesian 10-year benchmark yields are down 3.1 basis
points at 6.659%
** Top losers on the Jakarta stock index .JKSE include
Toba Pulp Lestari Tbk PT INRU.JK down 6.99% at 865 rupiah;
Citra Tubindo Tbk PT CTBN.JK down 6.98% at 2930 rupiah
** In the Philippines, top index gainers are Jollibee Foods
Corp JFC.PS up 9.31% at 169 pesos, GT Capital Holdings Inc
GTCAP.PS up 6.11% at 434 pesos, Ayala Land Inc ALI.PS up
5.03% at 31.35 pesos
Asia stock indexes and
currencies at 0700 GMT
COUNTRY FX RIC FX FX INDEX STOCK STOCKS
DAILY YTD % S YTD %
% DAILY
%
Japan JPY= -0.09 +2.93 .N225 -0.44 -0.38
China
>
India INR=IN +0.06 -2.65 .NSEI 0.56 -1.89
Indonesia IDR= -0.07 -5.45 .JKSE -0.85 -19.31
Malaysia MYR= -0.14 -1.33 .KLSE -0.13 -4.57
Philippin PHP= -0.06 +4.29 .PSI 1.55 -21.78
es
S.Korea
>
Singapore SGD= +0.05 -0.94 .STI -0.53 -21.50
Taiwan TWD=TP +0.90 +4.92 .TWII -0.36 7.21
Thailand THB=TH -0.19 -4.26 .SETI -0.29 -23.71