* Thai stocks flat-to-low ahead of C.bank policy decision
* Philippines sees worst session in over a month
* Singapore set to rise for third consecutive session
By Sameer Manekar
Nov 6 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets traded
in a flat-to-low range on Wednesday, with the Philippines
leading declines after recent gains, as investors turned
cautious in anticipation of concrete details from the Sino-U.S.
trade negotiations.
China is insisting that the United States remove tariffs
imposed in September as a part of the "phase one" Sino-U.S.
trade deal, which is expected to be signed this month at a
yet-to-be-determined location. Markets now await clarity on the tariff roll-back by
Washington following a report that the U.S. was considering
whether to withdraw its Sept. 1 trade duties on about $125
billion worth of Chinese goods. "Continued optimism that the U.S. and China are on the cusp
of sealing the 'Phase 1' trade deal is now conditional on
meeting Beijing's demand for a rollback at least of tariffs
imposed in September, over and above avoiding further tariff
escalation," Mizuho Bank said in a note.
"Markets should be wary of the boat being rocked when
high-rolling on trade optimism."
The Philippine bourse .PSI led declines in the region,
falling after finishing at its highest in over three months in
the previous session.
Financials and utilities were the biggest drags, as SM Prime
Holdings SMPH.PS lost 2.6%, while Aboitiz Power Corp AP.PS
slumped 3.5% after reporting a drop in its quarterly
consolidated net income. Indonesian shares .JKSE slipped as much as 0.7% after
posting their biggest intraday rise in over three weeks on
Tuesday.
Index heavyweights Bank Central Asia BBCA.JK and Unilever
Indonesia UNVR.JK lost as much as 0.9% and 1.3%, respectively.
An index of Jakarta's 45 most liquid stocks .JKLQ45
declined up to 1% after posting its best day in over five months
on Tuesday.
Financials and consumer sectors weighed on Malaysia's
benchmark index .KLSE , with CIMB Group Holdings CIMB.KL and
Sime Darby Plantation SIPL.KL losing up to 1.1% and 2.4%,
respectively.
The central bank stood pat on its benchmark interest rate on
Tuesday, saying it expects private sector spending to remain
resilient. Bucking the trend, Singapore shares .STI were set to rise
for a third straight session, boosted by financials and
industrial companies.
Real estate firm Hongkong Land Holdings HKLD.SI and
industrial conglomerate Jardine Matheson Holdings JARD.SI were
among the top gainers, rising as much as 3.5% and 2.9% each.
Thai index .SETI was little changed, near its two-week
high finish on Tuesday, ahead of a Bank of Thailand policy
meeting.
The central bank is expected to hold its benchmark interest
rate later in the day, a Reuters poll showed. Asian Companies click;
SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS AS AT 0431 GMT
Change on the day
Market Current Previous close Pct Move
Singapore 3260.03 3248.63 0.35
Bangkok 1624.06 1626.87 -0.17
Manila 8104.85 8216.68 -1.36
Jakarta 6240.478 6264.152 -0.38
Kuala Lumpur 1600.4 1606.74 -0.39
Ho Chi Minh 1026.19 1024.34 0.18
Change on year
Market Current End 2018 Pct Move
Singapore 3260.03 3068.76 6.23
Bangkok 1624.06 1563.88 3.85
Manila 8104.85 7466.02 8.56
Jakarta 6240.478 6194.498 0.74
Kuala Lumpur 1600.4 1690.58 -5.33
Ho Chi Minh 1026.19 892.54 14.97