* Volumes a fraction of 30-day average
* Vietnam, Thailand manage to hold on to gains
* Singapore set for best week since early April
By Rashmi Ashok
June 21 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets struggled
to find a foothold on Friday, with most regions barely moving in
thin trading volumes, as investors turned cautious ahead of a
data-heavy week.
Markets shrugged off Wall Street's exuberant performance
overnight, as investors took a cautious approach and looked
toward developments in the Sino-U.S. trade talks.
Analysts were also of the opinion that some profit-taking
may occur, given the stellar run of gains over the week.
"Asian markets are likely to succumb to some profit-taking
today, as markets digest the Fed's dovish pivot and refocus on
new market catalysts," OCBC said in a note to clients.
A slew of economic data due over the next week, including
Malaysia and Singapore's inflation data, Thailand's central bank
rate decision, and Indonesia's export data, cut into risk
sentiment and sent investors into a wait-and-watch mode.
Trading volumes for all regions remained just a fraction of
their 30-day average.
Indonesian shares .JKSE fell, dragged by consumer stocks.
Cigarette manufacturer Gudang Garam Tbk GGRM.JK and retailer
Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk AMRT.JK shed 1.1% each.
Vietnam .VNI managed to find some traction, rising 0.3%.
The key stock index was poised to snap four consecutive weekly
loss.
Financials largely accounted for the gains, with Vietnam
Technological And Commercial Joint Stock Bank TCB.HM adding
1.7%.
Thai stocks .SETI edged higher, supported by energy stocks
due to a spike in oil prices following rising tensions in the
Middle East. The benchmark stock index is set to post its fifth
straight weekly gain.
Oil companies PTT PCL PTT.BK and PTT Exploration and
Production PCL PTTEP.BK added 1.5% and 2.2%, respectively.
Singapore stocks .STI traded flat, but were set to notch a
weekly gain of about 2.8%, which would be their best since early
April.
Philippine shares .PSI were little changed for the day,
but headed for a fifth consecutive weekly gain.
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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS at 0328 GMT
Change on the day
Market Current Previous close Pct Move
Singapore 3313.79 3314.51 -0.02
Bangkok 1719.96 1717.82 0.12
Manila 8015.98 8022.42 -0.08
Jakarta 6311.302 6335.698 -0.39
Kuala Lumpur 1676.89 1675.43 0.09
Ho Chi Minh 962.38 959.18 0.33
Change so far in 2019
Market Current End 2018 Pct Move
Singapore 3313.79 3068.76 7.98
Bangkok 1719.96 1563.88 9.98
Manila 8015.98 7,466.02 7.37
Jakarta 6311.302 6,194.50 1.89
Kuala Lumpur 1676.89 1690.58 -0.81
Ho Chi Minh 962.38 892.54 7.82