* Hong Kong human rights bill could hamper trade talks
* Indonesia set for sixth straight day of losses
* The Philippines falls most, down 0.7%
By Arundhati Dutta
Nov 28 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian markets fell on Thursday
as investors feared the U.S. government's decision to sign a
bill backing protesters in Hong Kong could thwart Beijing and
Washington from defusing their 16-month trade dispute.
Mass protests for more democracy and autonomy have rocked
the former British colony for six months, with escalating
violence and fears that China will ratchet up its response to
end the unrest.
China's Foreign Ministry said it will take "firm counter
measures" if the United States continues to interfere in Hong
Kong after Trump on Wednesday signed into law congressional
legislation backing pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
"All eyes will be on just what kind of responses China would
muster, and whether it would derail the trade negotiations,"
OCBC Treasury Research said in a note.
Some analysts, however, feel there is a low possibility of
Trump's move affecting trade talks as his signature was
expected.
"Expect some belligerent noises from China about domestic
affairs interference today, but no concrete reprisals," Jeffrey
Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA said in a note.
Helping contain losses in the regional markets was positive
data from the United States, which showed that economic growth
picked up slightly in the third quarter rather than slowing down
as initially reported, while the number of claims for
unemployment benefits had dropped last week. The Philippine index .PSI , the top drag in the region,
retreated from previous session's gains, with food distributor
Universal Robina Corp URC.PS skidding 2.2% and financial
services provider SM Investments Corp SM.PS dropping 0.9%.
The Singapore benchmark .STI - which is highly vulnerable
to headlines related to the trade talks - marked their worst
session in a week, with index heavyweights Jardine Matheson
Holdings JARD.SI and United Overseas Bank UOBH.SI shedding
0.6% and 0.3%, respectively.
Malaysian shares .KLSE edged lower, dragged by financials.
Malayan Banking Bhd MBBM.KL and RHB Bank Bhd RHBC.KL
each dropped 0.7%.
Indonesian equities .JKSE were on track for a sixth
straight session of loss, with financials leading the decline.
PT Bank Central Asia Tbk BBCA.JK and PT Bank Mandiri
(Persero) Tbk BMRI.JK each slipped up to 0.7%.
Vietnamese stocks .VNI shed 0.4%, with financials weighing
on the index. Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of
Vietnam (Vietcombank) VCB.HM slid 0.8%.
For Asian Companies click;
SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS AS AT 0346 GMT
Change on the day
Market Current Previous close Pct Move
Singapore 3205.09 3215.53 -0.32
Bangkok 1605.23 1607.27 -0.13
Manila 7779.54 7836.89 -0.73
Jakarta 6016.975 6023.039 -0.10
Kuala Lumpur 1583.37 1587.18 -0.24
Ho Chi Minh 974.58 978.17 -0.37
Change so far in 2019
Market Current End 2018 Pct Move
Singapore 3205.09 3068.76 4.44
Bangkok 1605.23 1563.88 2.64
Manila 7779.54 7,466.02 4.20
Jakarta 6016.975 6,194.50 -2.87
Kuala Lumpur 1583.37 1690.58 -6.34
Ho Chi Minh 974.58 892.54 9.19