* S. Korean won leads intraday gains
* FX likely rangebound for week- DBS
* Baht unaffected by weak GDP data
(Adds text, updates prices)
By Ambar Warrick
Nov 18 (Reuters) - Most Asian currencies traded in tight
ranges on Monday as investors awaited clues on monetary policy
from some of the world's major central banks and sought clarity
on Sino-U.S. trade talks.
Minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve's October meeting are
expected on Wednesday, while markets also await the first major
speech by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde on
Friday.
With the trade war clouding the global economic outlook,
investors will be closely watching the two events for clues on
possible central banks policy responses.
"Markets are on the prowl for good news but exchange rates
are likely to remain range-bound in the quiet week ahead," DBS
said in a note to clients.
The South Korean won KRW=KFTC led gains among its peers
and rose about 0.2% to the dollar, as Seoul and Washington
agreed to postpone military drills to bolster peace in the
peninsula with North Korea. Other Asian currencies, most of which fell last week amid
uncertainty over trade talks, posted modest moves.
The Indian rupee INR=IN rose 0.13% to the dollar, having
lost substantially over the past two weeks amid doubts over
sustainable economic growth.
The Chinese yuan CNY=CFXS softened 0.08% to the dollar,
following a marginally stronger central bank mid-point fixing.
The Thai baht THB=TH was largely unchanged after data
showed that Thailand's third-quarter GDP slowed as expected. The
country's central bank also lowered its 2019 growth estimate due
to a manufacturing slowdown and an export decline due to a
robust baht, which is Asia's best performing currency this year.
The Singapore dollar SGD= traded flat after the country's
key exports shrank for an eighth straight month in October. The
island state's export-reliant economy has been hit particularly
hard by the tariff exchange between the United States and China.
"This morning's weaker-than-expected Singapore non-oil
domestic exports in October was a reminder that the global
recovery ahead is still challenging," DBS said.
The following table shows rates for Asian currencies against
the dollar on Monday.
CURRENCIES VS U.S. DOLLAR
Change on the day at 0537 GMT
Currency Latest bid Previous day Pct Move
Japan yen 108.810 108.73 -0.07
Sing dlr 1.361 1.3599 -0.04
Taiwan dlr 30.493 30.538 +0.15
Korean won 1164.300 1166.6 +0.20
Baht 30.230 30.2225 -0.02
Peso 50.600 50.56 -0.08
Rupiah 14065.000 14068 +0.02
Rupee 71.685 71.78 +0.13
Ringgit 4.152 4.1515 -0.01
Yuan 7.013 7.0072 -0.08
Change so far in 2019
Currency Latest bid End 2018 Pct Move
Japan yen 108.810 109.56 +0.69
Sing dlr 1.361 1.3627 +0.16
Taiwan dlr 30.493 30.733 +0.79
Korean won 1164.300 1115.70 -4.17
Baht 30.230 32.55 +7.67
Peso 50.600 52.47 +3.70
Rupiah 14065.000 14375 +2.20
Rupee 71.685 69.77 -2.67
Ringgit 4.152 4.1300 -0.53
Yuan 7.013 6.8730 -2.00