South-East Asia stocks - Thai shares fall, M'sia sees some foreign funds selling

BANGKOK: Thai stocks fell for a second straight session on Monday as foreign investors shed exposure to risky assets after violence over the weekend hit sentiment, while other South-East Asian markets closed mixed amid concerns about a slowdown in the Chinese economy.

Shares in Singapore and Malaysia closed 0.6% and 0.3%t lower respectively with Kuala Lumpur witnessing a foreign outflow of US$88.08mil as expectation of a sluggish growth in China dented investor appetite for risky assets. 

The Thai SET index ended 0.4%, led by information technology and banking shares, while the baht
also slid due to political tension. Foreign investors sold a net $46.47mil worth of shares on Monday, extending the offshore outflow to US$165.9mil in the last five straight sessions. 

Analysts expect foreign outflows to continue with Thai authorities "very seriously" considering a state of emergency after the weekend violence where protesters have been trying for more than two months to bring down the government.

China's economy grew 7.7% in 2013 after easing in the final three months on sagging investment growth, while analysts expect a cool-down this year as the government wrestles to implement major reforms. 

Bucking the trend, the Vietnam stock index, the region's best performer this year, outperformed the region with a 1.9% rise, while the Jakarta Composite Index  and the Philippines ended 0.4% and 0.3%
firmer, respectively. 
       
SOUTH-EAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS
 Change on day
 Market                       Current     Prev Close    Pct Move
 TR SE Asia Index*      383.88        385.42       -0.04
 Singapore                3128.79       3147.33       -0.59
 Kuala Lumpur           1807.59      1813.01       -0.30
 Bangkok                  1289.99      1295.41       -0.42
 Jakarta                    4431.57      4412.23       +0.44
 Manila                    6005.60       5987.09       +0.31
 Ho Chi Minh             553.67         543.59       +1.85
 
 Change on year
 Market                      Current       End 2013    Pct Move
 TR SE Asia Index*       383.88        388.37       -1.16
 Singapore                 3128.79       3167.43       -1.22
 Kuala Lumpur           1807.59       1866.96       -3.18
 Bangkok                  1289.99       1298.71       -0.67
 Jakarta                    4431.57       4274.18       +3.68
 Manila                    6005.60       5889.83       +1.97
 Ho Chi Minh             553.67        504.63       +9.72
 
* The Thomson Reuters South East Asia Index is a highly representative indicator of stocks listed in Indonesia,Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
    
 Stock Market Volume (shares)
 Market          Current Volume    Average Volume 30 days
 Singapore         109,883,200          179,193,497      
 Kuala Lumpur      139,544,600          106,408,950      
 
 Bangkok             5,758,106            4,974,442      
 Jakarta         3,712,257,840        2,939,235,047    
 Manila                 35,727               66,477    
 Ho Chi Minh           105,722               86,206 

- Reuters