(Adds text, updates prices)
By Rashmi Ashok
Jan 24 (Reuters) - Most Asian currencies rose slightly on
Friday, although gains were limited by lack of direction from
China and rising death toll and case count from a new
coronavirus.
Trading volumes were thin, with financial markets in China,
Taiwan and South Korea closed for the Lunar New Year.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday declared the
virus outbreak an emergency for China but stopped short of
declaring it an international concern, offering some comfort to
investors. The virus had killed 25 people in China and infected more
than 800 by Thursday.
"With several Asian markets seeing a holiday-shortened
trading week ahead, investors will be hoping that the outbreak
doesn't worsen over the coming days," Han Tan, market analyst at
Cyprus-based brokerage FXTM, wrote in a note.
"Still, regional markets could see an outsized reaction when
trading resumes, should pent-up concerns be unleashed if the
virus' spread worsens drastically over the near-term."
The Indonesian rupiah IDR=ID firmed 0.4% against the
dollar, after Bank Indonesia (BI) kept interest rates on hold on
Thursday. BI said the country's economic cycle had passed its lowest
point and would now continue to improve, adding that the
rupiah's level remained in line with fundamentals and was
expected to remain stable.
The Malaysian ringgit MYR=MY and the Philippine peso
PHP= strengthened 0.3% each. The Singapore dollar SGD=
strengthened marginally.
The following table shows rates for Asian currencies against
the dollar at 0544 GMT.
CURRENCIES VS U.S. DOLLAR
Currency Latest bid Previous day Pct Move
Japan yen 109.520 109.48 -0.04
Sing dlr 1.350 1.3511 +0.10
Baht 30.510 30.48 -0.10
Peso 50.870 51.02 +0.29
Rupiah 13570.000 13625 +0.41
Rupee 71.280 71.27 -0.02
Ringgit 4.063 4.0735 +0.26
Change so far in 2020
Currency Latest bid End 2019 Pct Move
Japan yen 109.520 108.61 -0.83
Sing dlr 1.350 1.3444 -0.39
Taiwan dlr 30.006 30.106 +0.33
Korean won 1168.700 1156.40 -1.05
Baht 30.510 29.91 -1.97
Peso 50.870 50.65 -0.43
Rupiah 13570.000 13880 +2.28
Rupee 71.280 71.38 +0.14
Ringgit 4.063 4.0890 +0.64
Yuan 6.937 6.9632 +0.38