Meanwhile, a 13.5% drop in natural gas distributor Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk PT, following multiple local reports about the government blocking PGAS's plans to raise gas prices also tugged on the index. An index of Jakarta's 45 most liquid stocks ended 1.4% lower. Thai shares pared early gains to end the session flat after export growth for September came in 1.5% lower. The index lost 2.2% this month.

Meanwhile, Malaysian shares gained 1.1%, buoyed by financials. Bank Negara Malaysia in its monthly report said it expected banking institutions to withstand severe macroeconomic and financial shocks as they are armed with excess capital buffers. Public Bank Bhd jumped 4.6%, while CIMB Group Holdings Bhd rose 3.1%. Philippines shaved off 0.5%, with heavyweights Ayala Land Inc and Bank of the Philippine Islands losing 2% and 2.9%, respectively.

The benchmark, however, added 2.6% this month. "The market in general was relatively stronger in last few days, particularly the financials ... so I think today is just profit taking in the market," Charles William Ang, associate analyst at COL Financial Group said. Property developer Ayala Land added 2.2% in the past three sessions, whereas BPI gained 3%, compared with a 1.2% jump in the index. Singapore shares advanced 0.7% to their highest in nearly three months, helped by financial stocks. The benchmark added 3.6% for the month.

Copyright Reuters, 2019