* Graphic: World FX rates http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
* Graphic: Foreign flows into Asian stocks https://tmsnrt.rs/3f2vwbA
* Asian stocks consolidate after rise in U.S. bond yield -
analyst
* Philippines stocks recover from early losses on COVID-19
curbs
* Indian rupee firms, up nearly 1% so far in February
By Rashmi Ashok
Feb 23 (Reuters) - Most Asian equities rose while bond
yields remained elevated, as investors awaited U.S. Federal
Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's Congressional testimony later
for clues into the central bank's thinking on inflation
expectations and rising yields.
Yields on benchmark 10-year bonds in the region stood at
multi-month highs as investors recently sold Asian bonds after a
jump in U.S. Treasury yields US10YT=RR . A recent rally in Asian equities has been capped by rising
bond yields. Higher bond yields are generally seen as a negative
for equities as they diminish the attraction from stocks'
dividend payouts, while debt servicing for companies becomes
more expensive due to higher borrowing costs.
"This explains why equities across the Asia-Pacific have
entered a consolidative phase in the last couple of days. Stocks
have rallied a fair bit since March, making them vulnerable to
rising yields, particularly in the tech sector," said Margaret
Yang, strategist at DailyFX.
"Powell's testimony will be closely eyed to see how tolerant
the Fed is in view of rising yields, and how they will address a
strengthening inflation outlook."
Most Asian emerging currencies inched higher as the dollar
hit a six-week low.
The Indian rupee INR=IN rose to 72.333 per dollar. It has
risen continuously for the last three months, and is up nearly
1% so far in February.
Analysts at HSBC recently raised their growth forecasts for
India to 11.2% from 9% for the coming fiscal year, noting that
the country was experiencing a remarkably strong recovery amid a
sustained decline in COVID-19 cases.
"By some measures, industrial activity is only a few
percentage points below its pre-pandemic peak. Mobility, too,
has largely recovered, which should help spur services demand,
which is still 25% below pre-pandemic level, in the coming
months."
Philippine equities .PSI closed flat after falling 1%
earlier after the government extended coronavirus restrictions
in the capital Manila late on Monday.
Manila - which accounts for 40% of the Philippines' economic
output and has been under partial curbs since August - will see
partial curbs retained until vaccinations start, limiting the
operating capacity of businesses and public transport.
"We don't know how long it will take before the vaccine can
be effectively rolled out and lockdown measures can be lifted.
Even once the vaccination is kicked off, it will take sometime,
and the efficacy of the vaccine to the public is unknown," said
DailyFX's Yang.
The inoculation drive in the Philipines is expected to start
with 600,000 doses of the Sinovac Biotech vaccines donated by
China, which is expected to arrive later this month.
Stock markets were shut in Japan due to a public holiday.
HIGHLIGHTS
** Indonesian 10-year benchmark yields are up 2.4 basis
points at 6.685%
** Malaysia's 10-year benchmark yield is up 0.9 basis points
at 2.984%
** Top gainers on the Thailand's SETI .SETI include Group
Lease PCL GL.BK up 26.53% and TRC Construction PCL TRC.BK up
12.5%
Asia stock indexes and
currencies at 0522 GMT
COUNTRY FX RIC FX FX INDE STOCKS STOCK
DAILY YTD % X DAILY S YTD
% % %
China
India INR=IN +0.16 +0.94 <.NS 1.13 6.15
EI>
Indones IDR= +0.07 -0.43 <.JK 0.07 4.70
ia SE>
Malaysi MYR= +0.00 -0.50 <.KL 0.33 -3.17
a SE>
Philipp PHP= +0.04 -1.30 <.PS 0.06 -4.55
ines I>
S.Korea
Singapo SGD= +0.10 +0.07 <.ST 0.71 2.03
re I>
Taiwan TWD=TP +1.58 +2.11 <.TW 0.11 11.51
II>
Thailan THB=TH +0.10 -0.13 <.SE 1.44 3.45
d TI>