* Graphic: World FX rates http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
* Graphic: Foreign flows into Asian stocks https://tmsnrt.rs/3lKhL5I
* All eyes on Fed policy
* Manila shares hit one-week low
* Malaysia markets closed for holiday
By Shashwat Awasthi
Sept 16 (Reuters) - Indonesian stocks .JKSE slid for the second straight session on
Wednesday, ahead of a Bank Indonesia meeting tipped to hold fire on cuts in interest rates that
would help a struggling economy in aid of stabilising the rupiah IDR= .
The currency, which has weakened 2% so far this month, firmed as much as 0.3% ahead of
Thursday's central bank decision, before inching lower along with a number of its Asian peers.
Other stock markets across the region were mixed, with the Philippines .PSI , already down
nearly 25% for the year, sliding more than 1% after three days of gains amid doubts over a
decision on relaxing social distancing norms. BI has become a focus for foreign investors in Southeast Asian markets in recent weeks as
deliberations around the bank's mandate raised concerns over its autonomy at a time when the
economy is sliding into recession.
Indonesia's finance minister on Tuesday forecast a steeper-than-expected contraction in
Southeast Asia's largest economy in the third quarter, after coronavirus curbs were reinstated
in the capital. Trading in emerging Asian currencies was largely muted as investors who have driven four
months of dollar weakness awaited a U.S. Federal Reserve policy statement for signs on how it
will execute a policy shift allowing for greater tolerance towards inflation.
While the chances of the U.S. central bank delivering actual new policy steps on Wednesday
are seen as minimal, analysts at the very least expect the Fed's newest economic projections to
point the way to an extended period of lower interest rates.
"While these (messages) are all expected to keep the greenback subdued, there are plenty of
items on the table the market could pick up on," said Jingyi Pan, a strategist with retail
trading platform IG.
"Any lack of dovish guidance is not expected to be taken well by the market."
HIGHLIGHTS
** Indonesian 3-year benchmark yields are up 15.299 basis points at 5.124%
** Top losers on the Jakarta stock index .JKSE include Inter Delta INTD.JK down 6.88%,
Trisula International TRIS.JK down 6.86% and Tunas Alfin TALF.JK down 6.82%
** Top gainers on the Singapore STI include Sembcorp Industries SCIL.SI up 7.32%, Wilmar
International WLIL.SI up 3.36% and Comfortdelgro CMDG.SI up 3.36%
Asia stock indexes and currencies at 0702 GMT
COUNTRY FX RIC FX DAILY % FX YTD % INDEX STOCKS DAILY % STOCKS YTD %
Japan JPY= +0.04 +3.06 .N225 0.09 -0.77
China CNY=CFXS +0.17 +2.84 .SSEC -0.43 7.58
India INR=IN -0.02 -3.10 .NSEI 0.24 -5.09
Indonesia IDR= -0.13 -6.56 .JKSE -0.72 -19.61
Malaysia MYR= 0.00 -0.94 .KLSE 0.00 -3.62
Philippines PHP= +0.04 +4.74 .PSI -1.19 -23.91
S.Korea KRW=KFTC +0.25 -1.68 .KS11 -0.31 10.84
Singapore SGD= +0.13 -1.09 .STI 0.58 -22.42
Taiwan TWD=TP +0.83 +3.32 .TWII 1.02 8.17
Thailand THB=TH +0.19 -3.89 .SETI 0.01 -18.58