* Vietnam trades higher
* Malaysia awaits GDP growth data
* Indonesia down ahead of cenbank policy rate decision
By Nikhil Subba
May 16 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets
slipped on Thursday, with the Philippines leading losses, as
U.S.-China trade friction intensified after Washington's ban on
China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd HWT.UL .
The U.S. Commerce Department said on Wednesday it is adding
Huawei and 70 affiliates to its so-called "Entity List" — a move
that bans the telecom giant from buying parts and components
from U.S. companies without a government approval. "Trump is moving to curb Huawei's access to the U.S. market
and American suppliers. This can be taken negatively with
regards to how the Trump administration plans to ease tensions
between the two largest economies in the world," Fio Dejesus,
equity research analyst at RCBC Securities, said.
Philippine stocks .PSI fell almost 1% to their lowest
since Jan. 3, pressured by energy and consumer cyclicals.
The Philippines, an ally of the United States, in February,
pushed ahead to launch a Huawei Technologies-backed 5G service
in the country, even as Washington said it would rethink
cooperation with allies that use Huawei. Malaysia stocks .KLSE marginally slipped ahead of its
first quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data, which is
expected to grow at a much slower pace than the previous
quarter, according to a Reuters poll. Top losers on the index were synthetic rubber gloves maker
Hartalega Holdings HTHB.KL , which saw its worst day in
one-week and Malaysia Airports Holdings MAHB.KL , which dropped
1.4%.
Indonesia's index .JKSE edged lower ahead of central
bank's policy decision later in the day, as the apex bank is
expected to keep its benchmark interest rates unchanged after
the country posted its widest monthly trade deficit in
history. Mall operator Bliss Properti Indonesia POSA.JK slumped
nearly 19%, while engineering services company ABM Investama
ABMM.JK dropped to a record low.
However, U.S. President Donald Trump is planning to delay
tariffs on auto imports, providing some relief to markets hit by
a flare-up in trade tensions. Vietnam stocks .VNI were trading marginally higher,
boosted by energy and technology stocks.
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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS AT 0328 GMT
Market Current Previous Close Pct Move
Singapore 3218.51 3218.77 -0.01
Bangkok 1612.89 1621.27 -0.52
Manila 7511.02 7576.71 -0.87
Jakarta 5962.719 5980.885 -0.30
Kuala Lumpur 1610.09 1611.43 -0.08
Ho Chi Minh 977.24 975.64 0.16
Change on year
Market Current End 2017 Pct Move
Singapore 3218.51 3068.76 4.88
Bangkok 1612.89 1563.88 3.13
Manila 7511.02 8558.42 -12.24
Jakarta 5962.719 6194.498 -3.74
Kuala Lumpur 1610.09 1690.58 -4.76
Ho Chi Minh 977.24 984.24 -0.71