* Thailand leads declines
* Singapore banks cautious about growth outlook
* Vietnam little changed
By Arundhati Dutta
Feb 21 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell
on Friday, as the rapid spread of the coronavirus outside
mainland China and its impact on Asia's economies dulled the
appeal of risk assets.
Japan and Singapore are on the brink of recession and South
Korea on Friday said its exports to China slumped in the first
20 days of February as the outbreak upends global supply chains.
"Data suggests that a pickup in activity is still elusive,
which could have negative implications on global growth," DBS
Group Research said in a note.
Factories in China, Southeast Asia's largest trading
partner, have struggled to return to work as authorities ramp up
containment efforts, with officials saying that January and
February exports and imports will be hit by the outbreak that
has claimed more than 2,2000 lives. Leading declines in the region, Thai shares .SETI fell as
much as 0.8%, set for a fourth straight day of losses.
The index has lost nearly 3% so far this week as the
epidemic weighs on tourist numbers, a big revenue generator for
the region's second-largest economy.
Losses were dominated by the energy sector, dragged down by
weaker oil prices, with PTT Pcl PTT.BK falling up to 2.2%.
Indonesian stocks .JKSE dropped as much as 0.6%, with
materials stocks leading losses. Cement maker PT Indocement
Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk INTP.JK fell 2.9%.
Singaporean stocks .STI edged lower and were on track to
snap two weekly gains.
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp OCBC.SI , the city-state's
second-biggest lender, traded flat even as it reported a
better-than-expected quarterly profit. Despite posting quarterly profits, Singaporean banks have
been cautious about their growth outlook due to the epidemic.
Last week, DBS Group Holdings DBSM.SI flagged a 2% decrease in
full-year revenue, citing the impact of the virus.
Shares in the Philippines .PSI and Malaysia .KLSE ticked
lower, while Vietnamese stocks .VNI were little changed.
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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS AS AT 0338 GMT
STOCK MARKETS
Change on the day
Market Current Previous close Pct Move
Singapore 3195.34 3198.68 -0.10
Bangkok 1481.1 1491.24 -0.68
Manila 7403.09 7413 -0.13
Jakarta 5905.342 5942.487 -0.63
Kuala Lumpur 1530.93 1534.98 -0.26
Ho Chi Minh 938.3 938.13 0.02
Change so far in 2020
Market Current End 2019 Pct Move
Singapore 3195.34 3222.83 -0.85
Bangkok 1481.1 1579.84 -6.25
Manila 7403.09 7,815.26 -5.27
Jakarta 5905.342 6,299.54 -6.26
Kuala Lumpur 1530.93 1588.76 -3.64
Ho Chi Minh 938.3 960.99 -2.36