Most Southeast Asian stock markets extended their gains on Friday, cheered by the European Union's pledge to aid Greece, with earnings plays helping to push Thailand and Indonesia to around one-week high. Thailand's benchmark SET index ended up 0.4 percent, its highest since February 4, led by a 5.4 percent jump in top mobile phone operator Advanced Info Service PCL and a 8.6 percent surge in its major shareholder Shin Corp.
AIS's special dividend for 2009 of 5 baht per share, on top of the 6.3 baht normal dividend for the year, boosted buying interest, dealers said. Despite a listless trading session ahead of the Lunar New Year festival, markets in the region ended in positive territory. Singapore added 0.19 percent, Malaysia gained 0.3 percent and Indonesia climbed 1.1 percent.
Singapore and Malaysia will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. Among advancers in Singapore, CapitaLand gained 1.8 percent and Noble Group rose 1.7 percent. In Kuala Lumpur, Malayan Banking rose 1 percent and plantation-based conglomerate PPB Group gained 1.3 percent.
In Jakarta, shares in PT XL Axiata Tbk, Indonesia's third-largest mobile phone operator, jumped 7.7 percent after the company reported strong earnings. The Philippines rose for a third session to end 1.4 percent higher at its highest since January 28, with Energy Development up 5.4 percent and Metro Pacific Investment jumping 5.8 percent.
Vietnam's index climbed 1.4 percent to its highest since January 15, adding to the previous two session gains, with insurance and finance firm Bao Viet up 4.8 percent and Masan Group up 3.6 percent. Vietnam will be closed next week for the Lunar New Year holiday and trade will resume on February 22.
Comments
Comments are closed.