(Adds text, updates prices)
By Devika Syamnath
Dec 6 (Reuters) - Most emerging Asian currencies held tight
ranges on Friday after a week of back-and-forth headlines on
trade, which kept investors firmly on the sidelines.
Investors held big bets in check pending firmer signs on
whether Washington and Beijing could reach an interim deal by
Dec. 15, when a new round of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods is
set to take effect.
"The operative word is uncertainty, and we do expect further
jitters next week, with investors likely taking out insurance
ahead of the Dec. 15 tariff deadline," OCBC said in a note.
China's yuan CNY=CFXS slipped slightly lower and was set
to notch a small weekly loss, while the Indonesian rupiah IDR=
and Malaysian ringgit MYR= were both 0.2% higher.
While mixed U.S. economic indicators weighed on the dollar,
offering a small measure of support for Asian currencies, focus
is now on payrolls data, which could provide a clearer read on
the health of the world's largest economy.
The Philippine peso PHP= inched higher, extending gains
into a third session after data released earlier this week
showed inflation quickening, raising expectations there may be
no more rate cuts this year.
Thailand's baht THB=TH declined 0.2% a day after trading
was closed for a public holiday. The currency extended losses
into a fourth straight session and was set to close the week
lower.
Nath Wongsaroj, a corporate treasury trader at Mizuho Bank,
said a central bank deputy governor's comments on Wednesday
further pressured the currency.
Market sentiment has changed and foreign investors now think
the baht, Asia's top performing currency this year, may not rise
much further given its strength is out of step with economic
fundamentals, Mathee Supapongse said on Wednesday. The following table shows rates for Asian currencies against
the dollar at 0524 GMT.
CURRENCIES VS U.S. DOLLAR
Change on the day at 0524 GMT
Currency Latest bid Previous day Pct Move
Japan yen 108.660 108.75 +0.08
Sing dlr 1.360 1.3606 +0.01
Taiwan dlr 30.488 30.500 +0.04
Korean won 1191.200 1190.2 -0.08
Baht 30.350 30.295 -0.18
Peso 50.760 50.79 +0.06
Rupiah 14030.000 14060 +0.21
Rupee 71.283 71.28 -0.00
Ringgit 4.161 4.168 +0.17
Yuan 7.048 7.0444 -0.05
Change so far in 2019
Currency Latest bid End 2018 Pct Move
Japan yen 108.660 109.56 +0.83
Sing dlr 1.360 1.3627 +0.17
Taiwan dlr 30.488 30.733 +0.80
Korean won 1191.200 1115.70 -6.34
Baht 30.350 32.55 +7.25
Peso 50.760 52.47 +3.37
Rupiah 14030.000 14375 +2.46
Rupee 71.283 69.77 -2.12
Ringgit 4.161 4.1300 -0.75
Yuan 7.048 6.8730 -2.48