* Most in the region set for weekly losses
* Philippines top gainer
* Singapore falls on weak trade data; Indonesia slips
By Nikhil Subba
May 17 (Reuters) - Philippines shares led the surge on
Southeast Asian markets on Friday after its central bank eased
liquidity norms, while most others tracked gains on Wall Street,
which rose on upbeat earnings and strong economic data.
The Philippine index .PSI climbed more than 2%, buoyed by
telecom services and financials. The index is, however, set for
a second straight week of loss.
The Philippine central bank on Thursday said it would cut
the amount of cash that banks must hold as reserves in three
steps, which is expected to free up around 190 billion pesos
($3.62 billion) of additional liquidity into the financial
system to help boost economic growth. However, the relief on Wall Street could be short-lived due
to worries of a protracted trade dispute between Beijing and
Washington, considering President Donald Trump's move to block
business with China's Huawei Technologies comes into force later
in the day.
"Global risk sentiments steadied overnight following better
than expected U.S housing data and healthy earnings from Cisco
and Walmart...Asian markets may attempt to build on yesterday's
positive momentum given that China has not announced any further
retaliatory measures," OCBC analysts said in a note to clients.
Malaysia stocks .KLSE advanced 0.6%, helped by gains in
the telecom and energy sectors. Telecommunications services
provider Digi.com DSOM.KL rose as much as 2%.
Thailand .SETI and Vietnam shares .VNI rose marginally.
Both were lifted by the energy sector.
Meanwhile, Singapore's shares .STI fell 0.7% after data
showed that the city-state's exports in April fell more than
expected with electronics shipments contracting far more than a
year ago. "Data foreshadows a continued slowdown in manufacturing and
GDP growth in the current quarter, making it increasingly
difficult for the central bank to maintain its tighter policy
stance," Prakash Sakpal, economist Asia at ING Bank said in a
note.
The Straits Times index, whose stocks are most exposed to
global trade, is set for its second straight week of losses.
Indonesia stocks .JKSE slipped marginally, weighed by
financials, after central bank deputy governor warned that
liquidity in the country's banking system is "heading toward
tightness" and financing may become an issue. Asian Companies click;
SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS At 0405 GMT
Market Current Previous Close Pct Move
Singapore 3208.86 3230.26 -0.66
Bangkok 1617.56 1614.75 0.17
Manila 7629.51 7475.16 2.06
Jakarta 5877.005 5895.738 -0.32
Kuala Lumpur 1608.19 1599.19 0.56
Ho Chi Minh 976.27 975.69 0.06
Change on year
Market Current End 2017 Pct Move
Singapore 3208.86 3068.76 4.57
Bangkok 1617.56 1563.88 3.43
Manila 7629.51 8558.42 -10.85
Jakarta 5877.005 6194.498 -5.13
Kuala Lumpur 1608.19 1690.58 -4.87
Ho Chi Minh 976.27 984.24 -0.81