* Singapore Nov manufacturing output falls unexpectedly
* Philippine bourse trims losses, finishes 0.4% down
* Most Southeast Asian equities set to gain in 2019
By Sameer Manekar
Dec 26 (Reuters) - Singaporean shares pared early losses and
ended flat on Thursday, looking past a surprise fall in November
manufacturing activity as lingering optimism around the "phase
one" of U.S.-China trade deal raised hopes of a turnaround in
the sector.
Meanwhile, the Philippine bourse led losses in the region
weighed down by blue chip stocks, as trading in most Southeast
Asian equity markets remained subdued on account of the year-end
holidays.
Singapore's benchmark index .STI recovered from its losses
earlier in the session to finish nearly flat, shrugging off a
9.3% fall in its manufacturing activity in November from a year
earlier, marking its biggest drop in four years. "We are cautiously optimistic that global macro
stabilization anchored by expected completion of the U.S.-China
"Phase 1" trade deal could lead to improvement in global
economic backdrop for next year, which could give Singapore's
manufacturing and export sectors the necessary boost for 2020,"
UOB said in a note.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that there will
be a signing ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the
U.S.-China Phase 1 trade deal agreed to this month. Industrial conglomerate Jardine Matheson Holdings JARD.SI
gained 0.9%, while Hongkong Land Holdings HKLD.SI lost 0.9%.
The Philippine bourse .PSI trimmed its losses from earlier
in the session to finish 0.4% lower.
Heavyweights Ayala Land ALI.PS and SM Investments Corp
SM.PS lost 1.8% and 2%, respectively, while Ayala Corp AC.PS
gained 2.7%.
The index had gained nearly 3% over its previous two trading
sessions.
Thai stocks .SETI rose on the back of industrial and
energy sectors, posting its second consecutive session of gains.
Heavyweights Airports of Thailand AOT.BK and PTT PCL
PTT.BK were among the top performers, adding 1% and 0.6%,
respectively.
Indonesian shares .JKSE were lifted by gains in the
consumer and financial firms, with Unilever Indonesia UNVR.JK
and Bank Central Asia BBCA.JK rising 1.9% and 0.3%,
respectively.
Malaysia's benchmark index .KLSE edged lower, while
Vietnam stocks .VNI lost 0.2%, dragged by heavy losses in
financials.
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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS
Change on the day
Market Current Previous close Pct Move
Singapore 3222.99 3221.67 0.04
Bangkok 1579.03 1573 0.38
Manila 7842.28 7872.6 -0.39
Jakarta 6319.443 6305.91 0.21
Kuala Lumpur 1603.55 1604.23 -0.04
Ho Chi Minh 958.59 960.92 -0.24
Change so far in 2019
Market Current End 2018 Pct Move
Singapore 3222.99 3068.76 5.03
Bangkok 1579.03 1563.88 0.97
Manila 7842.28 7,466.02 5.04
Jakarta 6319.443 6,194.50 2.02
Kuala Lumpur 1603.55 1690.58 -5.15
Ho Chi Minh 958.59 892.54 7.40