* Singapore Q1 GDP contracts more than expected
* Singapore set to announce additional stimulus package
* Indonesia set for best day in 6-1/2 years
By Arpit Nayak
March 26 (Reuters) - Most South East Asian stocks rose on
optimism around a massive U.S. stimulus package, although
Singapore shares fell after the city-state cut its annual growth
forecast to better reflect the economic damage from the
coronavirus pandemic.
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a
$2-trillion bill aimed at helping unemployed workers and
industries hurt by the virus outbreak. Indonesian stocks .JKSE were poised for their best session
in 6-1/2 years, playing catch-up after a holiday to surge 7.5%
to make up for the heavy buying in the region it missed on
Wednesday.
The financial and consumer sectors drove gains, with Bank
Central Asia BBCA.JK jumping 19.9% and household goods maker
Unilever Indonesia UNVR.JK surging 14.1%.
Philippine shares .PSI gained 4.9%, with property
developers SM Prime Holdings Inc SMPH.PS and Ayala Land
ALI.PS gaining 9.6% and 6.7%, respectively.
The Malaysian index .KLSE moved 0.7% higher, with gains
led by telecom and utilities stocks, while Thai equities .SETI
added 0.5%.
Thailand has put into effect a state of emergency until the
end of April, sealing off its borders from non-resident
foreigners to contain the virus, though it held off on
restricting people's movement inside the country At odds with the regional trend, Singapore stocks .STI
eased as much as 2.9% after its economy contracted more than
expected in the first quarter. However, the index pared most losses to trade 0.7% lower as
the passage of the U.S. stimulus bill boosted confidence.
Singapore also cut its full-year GDP forecast and is set to
announce more relief measures later in the day, weeks after
unleashing multi-billion dollar packages.
"The probability of (Singapore) entering a technical
recession... is rising as consumer-based services are likely to
take a hit following the introduction of more restrictive
measures," Zhu Huani, analyst at Mizuho Bank said in an note.
Financial and telecom stocks led declines, with lender DBS
Group Holdings DBSM.SI and telecom operator Singapore
Telecommunications STEL.SI losing 3.6% and 5%, respectively.
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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS as at 0341 GMT
Change on the
day
Market Current Previous Pct Move
close
Singapore 2488.53 2505.47 -0.68
Bangkok 1081.47 1080.03 0.13
Manila 5275.85 5027.76 4.93
Jakarta 4230.229 3937.632 7.43
Kuala Lumpur 1331.97 1324.5 0.56
Ho Chi Minh 696.49 690.25 0.90
Change so far
in 2020
Market Current End 2019 Pct Move
Singapore 2488.53 3222.83 -22.78
Bangkok 1081.47 1579.84 -31.55
Manila 5275.85 7,815.26 -32.49
Jakarta 4230.229 6,299.54 -32.85
Kuala Lumpur 1331.97 1588.76 -16.16
Ho Chi Minh 696.49 960.99 -27.52