Most Southeast Asian stock markets closed higher on Tuesday, with the Thai main index touching its highest in more than 16 years and most others hitting multi-week highs amid selective buying in regional bluechips. However, broad buying interest remained weak and investors were cautious about the global economic outlook.
Bangkok's SET index gained for the fourth straight session, ending up 0.46 percent at 1,305.66, its highest close since May 1996. Singapore's Straits Times Index was up 0.7 percent at 3,079.14, its highest close since mid-August. Malaysia's main index rose 0.5 percent, extending its gain for a sixth session, to a one-month closing high of 1,651.03.
Consumer-related stocks were among the most actively traded across the region, led by an 8 percent gain of Thailand's Big C Supercenter Pcl. Indonesia's Astra International Tbk PT and Malaysia's Axiata Group Bhd both ended up 1.4 percent.