* Singapore stocks inch up on hopes of policy easing
* Thai stocks hurt by cenbank steps on capital flows
* SE Asia stocks largely unchanged for the week
By Ambar Warrick
July 12 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets ended
lower on Friday after weak trade data from China, the region's
biggest trading partner, spelt further weakness for the broader
Asian economy.
China's June exports fell and imports shrank more than
expected as a trade tiff with the United States continued to
erode demand in the country. Fears of a resurgence in trade tensions also weighed on
regional stocks after U.S. President Donald Trump said in a
tweet that China was not living up to promises it made on buying
agricultural products from American farmers. Local stock indexes closed the week largely unchanged as
buying in anticipation of U.S. monetary easing was offset by
weaker economic readings.
Investors now await second-quarter GDP data from China due
on Monday. A Reuters poll sees growth slowing to its weakest
pace in at least 27 years. Indonesian stocks .JKSE closed 0.7% lower and led regional
losses, with the maximum pressure on the benchmark coming from
consumer staples and telecommunication stocks. Telekom Indonesia
TLKM.JK closed more than 2% lower, while cigarette maker
Gudang Garam GGRM.JK shed more than 3%.
An index of the country's 45 most liquid stocks .JKLQ45
closed down 0.9%.
Thai stocks .SETI ended 0.5% lower, with losses across all
sectors. Oil and gas explorer PTT PTT.BK and hospital operator
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services BDMS.BK were among the largest
drags on the benchmark.
Equity selling in the country was exacerbated by the central
bank's steps to curb short-term speculative capital flows in a
bid to weaken the baht THB=TH . A stronger local currency hurts
the country's exports. Singapore stocks .STI closed slightly higher as investors
bet on equities benefiting from local monetary policy easing.
Seven of 11 economists surveyed by Reuters expect the
central bank to ease policy in October after the island state
saw its slowest economic expansion in a decade for the second
quarter. Asian Companies click;
SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS
Change on the day
Market Current Previous close Pct Move
Singapore 3357.34 3350.45 0.21
Bangkok 1731.59 1740.45 -0.51
Manila 8141.82 8154.49 -0.16
Jakarta 6373.345 6417.066 -0.68
Kuala Lumpur 1669.45 1679.26 -0.58
Ho Chi Minh 975.4 978.63 -0.33
Change on year
Market Current End 2018 Pct Move
Singapore 3357.34 3068.76 9.40
Bangkok 1731.59 1563.88 10.72
Manila 8141.82 7466.02 9.05
Jakarta 6373.345 6194.498 2.89
Kuala Lumpur 1669.45 1690.58 -1.25
Ho Chi Minh 975.4 892.54 9.28