* China reports 5,000 new virus cases, ship disembarks in
Cambodia
* The Philippine index leads declines, down up to 0.7%
* Oil prices set for first weekly gain in six, lift Thai
index
* Singapore set for biggest weekly gain in over 3 months
By Arundhati Dutta
Feb 14 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets were
subdued on Friday as renewed doubts about the scale of
coronavirus outbreak spooked investors, while the Thai index
rose with its prominent energy sector gaining as oil prices
extended their week-old recovery.
Financial markets have hinged on virus headlines through the
week and rallied at any sign of infections easing.
Officials in Hubei province – the epicentre of the outbreak
- shocked markets on Thursday by announcing a sharp increase in
new infections and deaths from the coronavirus, reflecting the
adoption of a new method to diagnose the illness. The province on Friday reported 4,823 new cases, well above
the levels seen earlier this month, but the daily death toll and
number of infections were down sharply from the previous day.
"The main catalyst for the case for higher equities remains
the promise of global stimulus, but if China's weakness extends
to the second quarter, risk appetite will have trouble driving
risky assets higher, " Edward Moya, analyst at OANDA wrote in a
note.
Central banks of Singapore and Malaysia have hinted at
policy easing in the future, while Thailand recently cut its
benchmark interest rate to a record low. Leading declines, the Philippine index .PSI dropped as
much as 0.7%, dented by losses in conglomerates Ayala Land
ALI.PS and SM Investments SM.PS .
The energy-heavy Thai index .SETI was lifted by oil
prices, which were set for their first weekly gain in six.
Petroleum producers PTT Pcl PTT.BK and PTT Exploration and
Production Pcl PTTEP.BK advanced 0.6% and 1.2%, respectively.
O/R
Indonesian equities .JKSE edged a tick higher, but were
set to log losses for the week. The benchmark index was
supported by consumer stocks, with food distributor PT Indofood
Sukses Makmur Tbk INDF.JK adding up to 1.4%
Singaporean stocks .STI were subdued, but poised for their
biggest weekly gain in over three months. Index heavyweights
Jardine Strategic Holdings JSH.SI and Jardine Matheson
Holdings JARD.SI advanced up to 1.9% and 1.3%, respectively.
Vietnamese shares .VNI were little changed.
For Asian Companies click;
SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS AS AT 0414 GMT
STOCK MARKETS
Change on the day
Market Current Previous close Pct Move
Singapore 3224.82 3220.09 0.15
Bangkok 1537.2 1532.77 0.29
Manila 7376.53 7403.12 -0.36
Jakarta 5874.259 5871.954 0.04
Kuala Lumpur 1537.82 1539.16 -0.09
Ho Chi Minh 937.98 938.24 -0.03
Change so far in 2020
Market Current End 2019 Pct Move
Singapore 3224.82 3222.83 0.06
Bangkok 1537.2 1579.84 -2.70
Manila 7376.53 7,815.26 -5.61
Jakarta 5874.259 6,299.54 -6.75
Kuala Lumpur 1537.82 1588.76 -3.21
Ho Chi Minh 937.98 960.99 -2.39