* Thailand down 0.9%, top loser
* Singapore unveils $4.5 bln package
* Vietnam falls for third session
By Arundhati Dutta
Feb 18 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell
on Tuesday, after Apple Inc AAPL.O said it was unlikely to
meet its March-quarter sales guidance as the coronavirus
outbreak slowed production and weakened demand in China.
The warning from the world's most valuable technology
company dashed investor hopes that stimulus measures from China
and other countries would protect their economies from the
impact of the epidemic. Shares in Thailand .SETI fell 0.9%, even after the central
bank governor said the government's support measures and the
passage of a delayed budget bill would help ease the economic
blow from the coronavirus.
Singapore also announced financial packages worth around
$4.5 billion to help contain the outbreak and weather its
economic impact. However, shares in the city-state .STI fell
0.5%. Both Singapore and Thailand's economies have been hit by the
epidemic. Singapore has lowered its 2020 growth forecast, while
Thailand expects tourist numbers to tumble this year.
Heavyweight financials such as DBS Group Holdings DBSM.SI
and United Overseas Bank UOBH.SI were among the top losers in
Singapore, while consumer discretionary stocks were the biggest
decliners in Thailand.
Vietnam shares .VNI slipped for the third straight
session, dragged by the real estate sector. Vingroup Joint Stock
Company VIC.HM slipped 3.2%.
Meanwhile, Indonesian shares .JKSE rose on the back of
materials and communication services. Cement maker PT Indocement
Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk INTP.JK and major telecoms player
Telekomunikasi Indonesia TLKM.JK added 2.7% and 0.3%,
respectively.
Investors now await the central bank's rate decision due on
Thursday, according to Hariyanto Wijaya, head of investment
research at Mirae Asset Securities.
A slim majority of analysts polled by Reuters expects the
central bank to resume its easing cycle to counter the economic
hit from the epidemic. Asian Companies click;
SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS
STOCK MARKETS
Change on the day
Market Current Previous close Pct Move
Singapore 3196.63 3213 -0.51
Bangkok 1513.68 1527.25 -0.89
Manila 7322.89 7326.85 -0.05
Jakarta 5886.962 5867.523 0.33
Kuala Lumpur 1537.08 1537.12 0.00
Ho Chi Minh 927.93 934.77 -0.73
Change so far in 2020
Market Current End 2019 Pct Move
Singapore 3196.63 3222.83 -0.81
Bangkok 1513.68 1579.84 -4.19
Manila 7322.89 7,815.26 -6.30
Jakarta 5886.962 6,299.54 -6.55
Kuala Lumpur 1537.08 1588.76 -3.25
Ho Chi Minh 927.93 960.99 -3.44