* Lack of detail about trade talk progress weighs on
sentiment
* Malaysian palm oil exports to meet EU standards by 2021
* Singapore falls to near 3-week low, Jardine Matheson down
By Arundhati Dutta
Nov 19 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell
on Tuesday as lack of significant progress in U.S.-China trade
talks kept investors on the edge, while Malaysia slipped after
the government announced new food safety standards for its vital
palm oil industry.
Markets digested mixed news about the trade negotiations
overnight, after CNBC reported the mood in Beijing was
pessimistic about the prospects of sealing an
agreement. However, a new extension allowing U.S. companies to continue
doing business with China's Huawei Technologies HWT.UL was
announced, offering some hope that the move may improve
relations between the two countries.
"The trade-talks are starting to look more like an iceberg,
and not a lighthouse," Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst for
Asia Pacific at OANDA said in a note.
The closer markets were getting to the looming Dec. 15
deadline, when a new set of U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports will
kick in if a deal is not met, the more lonely equity markets are
starting to look, he added.
Leading declines, Singapore markets .STI slid 0.7% to a
near 3-week low. A near 4% drop in conglomerate Jardine Matheson
Holdings JARD.SI dragged the index lower, while land developer
City Developments CTDM.SI shed 1.4%, also adding pressure.
Malaysian stocks .KLSE tumbled nearly 0.6% after a
minister said the government will enforce regulations to ensure
that by 2021 its palm oil meets new food safety standards under
consideration by the European Union. Adding to woes, Malaysian officials said that the Malaysian
palm oil industry is facing "significant challenges" in
complying with certain sustainability standards, which includes
protecting workers' rights and the environment, by next year.
Malaysia is the second-biggest producer and exporter of palm
oil after Indonesia and its economy is heavily reliant on income
from the palm oil export business.
Palm oil cultivators Kuala Lumpur Kepong KLKK.KL and IOI
Corp IOIB.KL shed 0.9% and 0.2% respectively, while PPB group
PEPT.KL lost 0.9%.
Bucking the trend, Indonesian shares .JKSE climbed 0.2%,
underpinned by gains in financials with sector heavyweight PT
Bank Central Asia adding 0.6%.
Thai .SETI and Philippines .PSI markets remained tepid,
barely moving in early trade, while Vietnam stocks .VNI crept
marginally higher.
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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS AS AT 0342 GMT
Market Current Previous close Pct Move
Singapore 3235.78 3258.66 -0.70
Bangkok 1606.69 1608 -0.08
Manila 7884.61 7880.94 0.05
Jakarta 6134.355 6122.625 0.19
Kuala Lumpur 1599.24 1604.36 -0.32
Ho Chi Minh 1005.19 1002.91 0.23
Change so far in 2019
Market Current End 2018 Pct Move
Singapore 3235.78 3068.76 5.44
Bangkok 1606.69 1563.88 2.74
Manila 7884.61 7,466.02 5.61
Jakarta 6134.355 6,194.50 -0.97
Kuala Lumpur 1599.24 1690.58 -5.40
Ho Chi Minh 1005.19 892.54 12.62