* MAS says policy stance unchanged, but signals room for
easing
* Thai c.bank decision due later in the day
* Philippine Jan inflation rises, but rate cut still likely
* Indonesia Q4 GDP growth rate slower-than-expected
By Shruti Sonal
Feb 5 (Reuters) - Philippine stocks rose on Wednesday,
boosted by expectations of an interest rate cut despite a
surprise jump in January inflation, while Singapore shares
gained after its central bank said it had room to ease policy if
required.
The Philippine index .PSI gained more than 1.3%, with
index heavyweights San Miguel Corp SMC.PS and GT Capital
Holdings Inc GTCAP.PS jumping about 5% and 3%, respectively.
Data showed January inflation was at its highest in eight
months, but the outcome was still within the Philippine central
bank's comfort range and supported views that it will likely cut
rates at its meeting on Thursday. "Given the bleak outlook for global growth and dissipating
threats to the inflation outlook, BSP (Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas) will likely keep its foot on the easing pedal to help
bolster sagging growth momentum", Nicholas Mapa, senior
economist at ING for Philippines said.
Singapore stocks .STI rose 0.6%, buoyed by financials and
industrials, after the central bank signalled it had room for
easing if required, amid an economy sapped by the virus
outbreak. Jardine Strategic Holdings JSH.SI and UOL Group Ltd
UTOS.SI gained about 2% each.
Most other regional markets posted minor gains as hopes rose
for more stimulus measures by China to limit the economic impact
due to a virus outbreak that has killed nearly 500 people.
China is readying more measures to stabilize its economy,
which includes an additional trimming of some key lending rates
in the coming weeks along with the hundreds of billions of
dollars it has already infused in the financial system.
Thai equities .SETI also rose marginally ahead of a
central bank meeting later in the day.
The Bank of Thailand is largely expected to keep rates on
hold, but "odds of a preemptive cut are rising" in light of the
impact of the virus on tourism earnings, DBS Economics &
Strategy analysts said in a note.
Indonesian shares .JKSE , which rose as much as 0.8%
earlier in the day, pared some gains after data showed its
economy grew at a slower-than-expected rate in the final quarter
of 2019. Asian Companies click;
SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS at 0327 GMT
Change on the day
Market Current Previous close Pct Move
Singapore 3173.75 3156.57 0.54
Bangkok 1520.82 1519.38 0.09
Manila 7317.05 7226.9 1.25
Jakarta 5955.41 5922.339 0.56
Kuala Lumpur 1533.34 1535.8 -0.16
Ho Chi Minh 926.26 929.09 -0.30
Change so far in 2020
Market Current End 2019 Pct Move
Singapore 3173.75 3222.83 -1.52
Bangkok 1520.82 1579.84 -3.74
Manila 7317.05 7,815.26 -6.37
Jakarta 5955.41 6,299.54 -5.46
Kuala Lumpur 1533.34 1588.76 -3.49
Ho Chi Minh 926.26 960.99 -3.61