Most Southeast Asian stock indices ended lower on Friday as doubts about possible stimulus by the US Federal Reserve prompted a broad sell-off, while Vietnam snapped a three-day losing streak as support from regulators eased concerns of banking risks. The Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange's VN Index advanced 1.8 percent, regaining some lost ground from a drop of 10.5 percent over the past three sessions after police arrested the former chief executive officer of Asia Commercial Bank.
Some Vietnamese banking shares rebounded after investor confidence has been restored, with stocks of Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank, among actively traded issue on the Ho Chi Minh bourse, up 2.03 percent. Vietnam's key stock index posted its biggest weekly fall in over three months of 7.8 percent, the worst performer in the region. The Philippine index was the second worst, falling 1.2 percent on the week.