(Repeats to additional codes. No change to text.)
* Graphic: World FX rates http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
* Graphic: Foreign flows into Asian stocks https://tmsnrt.rs/3lKhL5I
* S. Korean won, Taiwan dollar lead gains in Asian FX
* Thai shares on track to post weekly gain
By Anushka Trivedi
Sept 18 (Reuters) - Indonesia's rupiah hit a more than
two-week high on Friday, a day after the central bank kept
interest rates unchanged and supported by reassurances monetary
policy would not be swayed by political influences.
Helped by a broadly weaker dollar, the rupiah IDR=
advanced 0.6% and was set for its best day since Aug. 31 after
three-weeks of local market volatility, which was driven by
concerns about the economy and moves by some lawmakers to change
rules around central bank independence.
Asked about deliberations in parliament, Governor Perry
Warjiyo said on Thursday President Joko Widodo and Finance
Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati had both pledged that monetary
policy would remain independent.
Analysts and traders said the bank had settled some nerves
for now, although several stressed that the threats to growth
from a surge in coronavirus cases meant policymakers would be
under pressure to cut rates as soon as possible.
"It appears that Bank Indonesia wants to send out a message
about their independence by keeping the rate unchanged," said
Societe Generale economist Kunal Kundu.
"The question remains whether a weakening economy and lower
growth potential can be ignored going forward."
Stocks in Jakarta .JKSE snapped a three day losing run to
gain 0.3%.
Other regional currencies advanced as lacklustre U.S. jobs
data overnight kept the dollar subdued, with the South Korean
won KRW=KFTC and the Taiwan dollar TWD=TP firming 1.1% and
0.8%, respectively, to lead gains.
Asian stocks ignored a weak finish on Wall Street to rise,
with Malaysia .KSLE and Thai equities .SETI rising 0.4% and
0.1%.
The Bangkok market was set for its first weekly gain in
three, while the baht THB=TH was on course to appreciate for a
second straight week, ahead of a central bank meeting next week.
Thailand's tourism- and export-reliant economy has been
reeling from weakened demand amid the coronavirus pandemic,
though the recent removal of most virus restrictions has given
markets some hope.
"In my view we have seen the worst of the capital outflows
from Thailand," said Nader Naeimi, head of dynamic markets at
AMP Capital.
"The most significant catalyst for foreign inflows from here
is success in phase-three COVID vaccine trials," he said, adding
that conditions for an upturn in markets were in place.
HIGHLIGHTS
** Malaysia's 3-year benchmark yield ID3YT=RR is up 1.1
basis points at 1.942%
** Top gainers on the Thailand's SETI .SETI include Food
and Drinks PCL FND.BK up 15% and Union Pioneer PCL UPF.BK up
14.78%
** In the Philippines, top index losers are Universal Robina
URC.PS , down 2.26%, Ayala Land ALI.PS down 1.75% and
Puregold Price Club PGOLD.PS , down 1.53%
Asia stock indexes and currencies at 0505 GMT
COUNTRY FX RIC FX DAILY % FX YTD % INDEX STOCKS DAILY % STOCKS YTD %
Japan JPY= -0.05 +3.66 .N225 0.15 -1.27
China CNY=CFXS +0.14 +3.08 .SSEC 0.57 7.83
India INR=IN +0.41 -2.69 .NSEI 0.36 -5.02
Indonesia IDR= +0.58 -5.80 .JKSE 0.19 -19.87
Malaysia MYR= +0.29 -0.87 .KLSE 0.44 -4.34
Philippines PHP= +0.12 +4.69 .PSI -0.87 -24.61
S.Korea KRW=KFTC +1.13 -0.42 .KS11 -0.03 9.45
Singapore SGD= +0.04 -0.86 .STI -0.20 -22.56
Taiwan TWD=TP +0.79 +3.53 .TWII 0.15 7.46
Thailand THB=TH +0.16 -3.95 .SETI 0.09 -18.63