* U.S. cenbank decision later in the day
* Singapore stocks lead gains in the region
* Philippine shares fall on consumer, industrial stocks
By Anushka Trivedi
Oct 30 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian markets moved in a
thin range on Wednesday, amid gains in Singapore shares, as
cautious investors waited for the U.S. Federal Reserve's
decision on interest rates.
The U.S. central bank is expected dish out a quarter
percentage-point rate cut for the third time this year,
expectations of which have bolstered global equities over the
past few weeks. OCBC analysts said in a note that while policy easing has
largely been priced in, "uncertainty remains if it would be a
hawkish rate cut with Jerome Powell signalling a wait and see
mode from here".
Adding to the cautious mood was a Reuters report that an
interim trade deal between the United States and China might not
be completed in time for signing in Chile next month as
expected.
Philippine shares .PSI fell as consumer and industrial
stocks weighed on the benchmark.
Heavyweight SM Investments Corp SM.PS slipped 0.9% and
conglomerate Alliance Global Group Inc AGI.PS fell 2.5%.
The Malaysian bourse .KLSE was flat, with palm oil
producer Sime Darby Plantation SIPL.KL being the biggest drag
on the index. The stock fell nearly 3%.
Indonesian shares .JKSE pared early losses to tick up due
to a rally in energy stocks.
Coal miner PT Bayan Resources TBK BYAN.JK surged 19.6% and
was set for its best session in over a year.
Meanwhile, Singapore's benchmark index .STI edged up 0.3%
and was on track to rise for second straight session.
Fed's rate cut is seen benefiting the city-state's
industrial, real estate and consumer sectors, according to
analysts at CMC Singapore Market.
Industrial conglomerate Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd
JSH.SI advanced 0.6%, while food processor Wilmar
International Ltd WLIL.SI rose 0.5%.
Gains in Singapore's heavyweight banking stocks also aided
the benchmark.
Vietnam stocks .VNI rose 0.4%, buoyed by financials.
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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS
Change on the day
Market Current Previous Pct Move
close
Singapore 3207.46 3197.04 0.29
Bangkok 1594.11 1591.21 -0.08
Manila 7968.44 7991.19 -0.23
Jakarta 6285.798 6281.138 0.08
Kuala Lumpur 1576.32 1577.79 -0.09
Ho Chi Minh 998.37 995.87 0.35
Change so far in
2019
Market Current End 2018 Pct Move
Singapore 3207.46 3068.76 4.48
Bangkok 1594.11 1563.88 1.67
Manila 7968.44 7,466.02 6.79
Jakarta 6285.798 6,194.50 1.48
Kuala Lumpur 1576.32 1690.58 -6.76
Ho Chi Minh 998.37 892.54 11.97