* Singapore top gainer with 1.3% jump
* Thailand hits near 1-month closing high
* Malaysia July exports above expectations
By Shreya Mariam Job
Sept 4 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets rose
on Wednesday, tracking broader Asia as investors cheered a
private survey that showed accelerating growth in China's
services sector amid fears of a global slowdown.
Activity in China's services sector expanded at the fastest
pace in three months in August as new orders rose, prompting the
biggest increase in hiring in over a year, the survey showed.
Positive sentiment over the survey seeped into Southeast
Asian markets with China being the region's biggest trading
partner.
Singapore shares .STI jumped 1.3%, shrugging off a central
bank survey showing a sharp cut in 2019 economic growth
forecasts. Industrial and financial stocks were the top gainers, with
industrial behemoth Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd JARD.SI
rising 5.6%, while Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd HKLD.SI jumped
9.2%.
Thai stocks .SETI advanced 1% to a near one-month closing
high after the finance minister played down recession fears.
The economy is just slowing but not in a recession yet and
recently announced government stimulus measures should help lift
growth to 3% this year, the minister said. Index heavyweights Airports of Thailand AOT.BK and PTT PCL
PTT.BK gained 3.5% and 1.8%, respectively.
Malaysian stocks .KLSE gained 0.5% following a surprise
rise in July exports.
Exports rose unexpectedly in July, rebounding from a drop in
the previous month, lifted by solid demand for manufactured
goods and higher shipments to China, government data showed.
Financials were the top gainers, with Public bank Bhd
PUBM.KL rising 1%, while Malayan Banking Bhd MBBM.KL added
0.5%.
Philippine shares .PSI climbed 0.5%, underpinned by real
estate and industrial stocks.
Robinsons Land Corp RLC.PS and SM Investments Corp SM.PS
gained 4.1% and 3.8%, respectively.
Indonesian shares .JKSE edged higher, aided by energy and
real estate stocks, while Vietnam .VNI slipped on losses in
consumer and industrial stocks.
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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS
Change on the day
Market Current Previous close Pct Move
Singapore 3130.57 3090.63 1.29
Bangkok 1658.64 1642.25 1.00
Manila 7840.86 7804.71 0.46
Jakarta 6269.664 6261.59 0.13
Kuala Lumpur 1599.89 1591.52 0.53
Ho Chi Minh 977.63 979.36 -0.18
Change so far in 2019
Market Current End 2018 Pct Move
Singapore 3130.57 3068.76 2.01
Bangkok 1658.64 1563.88 6.06
Manila 7840.86 7,466.02 5.02
Jakarta 6269.664 6,194.50 1.21
Kuala Lumpur 1599.89 1690.58 -5.36
Ho Chi Minh 977.63 892.54 9.53
(Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)