* China's Aug industrial output at 17-1/2-year low
* Indonesia index dragged by cigarette makers, oil importers
* Thai shares rise on energy stocks
By Anushka Trivedi
Sept 16 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell
on Monday after dismal data from China, the region's biggest
trading partner, signalled weakness for the broader Asian
economy, while oil importers were affected following attacks on
Saudi Arabia's crude facilities.
Oil prices jumped over 10% on fears of a supply glut as the
attack would significantly cut global oil output, while investor
sentiment also remained on edge as the incident risked
increasing geopolitical tensions worldwide. Confidence was dented after industrial output data from
China showed that the slowdown in factory and consumer sectors
had deepened in August. Industrial production grew at its
weakest pace in 17-1/2 years for the month, hinting at increased
frailty in an economy lashed by trade headwinds and soft
domestic demand.
Analysts at Citibank see a case for additional caution as
the attack on Saudi's facility could led to a "supply shock",
given lingering fears of a potential U.S.recession.
Leading declines in the region, Indonesian stocks .JKSE
marked their worst session in over a month.
Indonesian oil importers dropped as investors scurried for
safe-haven bets after the attacks. Chandra Asri Petrochemical
TPIA.JK shed 6.2%, while marine logistics company Transcoal
pacific Tbk PT TCPI.JK lost 4.1%.
Top cigarette maker Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna Tbk PT
HMSP.JK saw its worst day in nearly 29 years, with peer Gudang
Garam Tbk PT GGRM.JK diving about 20% after the finance
ministry announced a hike to minimum price of cigarettes by an
average of 35%, while raising excise tax by 23% from 2020
onwards. Trade-sensitive Singapore stocks .STI dropped, with
industrials denting the index. Shares of Yangzijiang
Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd YAZG.SI slipped 0.9%, while
Hutchison Port Holdings Trust HPHT.SI declined 1.9%.
An index of Jakarta's forty-five most liquid stocks
.JKLQ45 lost 1.1%.
The Philippine bourse .PSI dropped 0.6% amid broad-based
losses. Shares of property developer Ayala Land Inc ALI.PS and
conglomerate SM Prime Holdings SMPH.PS declined 1.4% and 0.4%,
respectively.
Bucking the sombre mood, Thai shares .SETI ticked up on
the back of energy stocks as oil prices surged, while the
Vietnam index .VNI advanced on financials.
Thai oil and gas giant PTT PCL PTT.BK hit its highest in
more than six weeks, while PTT Exploration and Production PCL
PTTEP.BK scaled 3.3%.
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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS
Change on the day
Market Current Previous close Pct Move
Singapore 3210.99 3211.49 -0.02
Bangkok 1663.26 1661.96 0.08
Manila 7942.17 7992.32 -0.63
Jakarta 6232.627 6334.843 -1.61
Ho Chi Minh 989.94 987.22 0.28
Change so far in 2019
Market Current End 2018 Pct Move
Singapore 3210.99 3068.76 4.63
Bangkok 1663.26 1563.88 6.35
Manila 7942.17 7,466.02 6.38
Jakarta 6232.627 6,194.50 0.62
Ho Chi Minh 989.94 892.54 10.91