South East Asian markets: Indonesia falls; Philippines extends gain

16 May, 2018

Indonesian shares fell to a one-week closing low on Tuesday, as continued capital outflows and worse-than-expected trade data hurt investor sentiment, while Philippine stocks extended gain to a four-week closing high. Indonesia posted its biggest trade deficit in four years in April as imports surged, wrong-footing analysts who expected a surplus for the month.
Southeast Asia's largest economy had a deficit of $1.62 billion, the biggest since April 2014, while a Reuters poll forecast was for a $700 million surplus. Apart from the suicide bombing attacks that happened on Monday, the currency is also one of the worst performers in the region, adding to investor anxiety, said Manny Cruz, an analyst with Asiasec Equities Inc.
Jakarta's main stock index closed 1.8 percent lower with financials being the biggest drag.
Bank Central Asia fell 3.4 percent, while Bank Mandiri declined 4.9 percent.
Philippine shares rose for a third straight session and closed 1.7 percent higher, boosted by gains in real estate stocks.
SM Prime Holdings rose 7.4 percent and Ayala Land climbed 3.1 percent.
Foreign investors net bought equities worth 293.4 million pesos ($5.60 million) on Friday, according to data from the Philippine Stock Exchange. The financial markets were closed on Monday for a holiday.
Vietnam stocks closed 0.6 percent higher, buoyed by gains in financials.
Fitch raised Vietnam's sovereign credit rating on Tuesday, a move that economists said should boost Vietnam's already-substantial investment inflows.
Singapore shares slid 0.6 percent, with DBS Group Holdings and Singapore Telecommunications shedding 1.2 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively. Thai stocks ended 0.4 percent lower. Gas explorer PTT Public Co was the biggest drag with a drop of about 1 percent.

Read Comments