EMERGING MARKETS-Singapore stocks jump 1% on growth f'cast, lower virus cases

  • 6/30/2021
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* China"s June factory activity dips to four-month low * Thai stocks hit one week peak * Graphic: World FX rates tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E * Asian stock markets: tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4 By Soumyajit Saha June 30 (Reuters) - Singapore stocks were poised for their biggest daily gain in over a month on Wednesday after the central bank said growth could exceed expectations this year on strengthening global demand and progress in the country"s vaccination drive. The FTSE Strait Times index in Singapore rose as much as 1.6% after the central bank said growth could exceed the upper end of the official 4%-6% forecast range this year. Sentiment was further supported by government data bit.ly/3AcQr7f showing a recent fall in daily coronavirus cases and local media reports bit.ly/3y6wP2D of a ramp up in the vaccination process, said Mitul Kotecha, chief EM Asia and Europe strategist at TD Securities. "The picture is getting constructive with respect to the virus in Singapore," said Kotecha. The situation in Singapore helped its equities outperform largely tepid stock markets across the rest of Southeast Asia, as the region continues to face a burgeoning coronavirus crisis. Philippine stocks declined 0.3%, a day after the nation extended curbs on movement and businesses in the capital Manila and nearby provinces until mid-July and retained stricter COVID-19 curbs in some other parts. Still, the index was set to gain over 4.6% for the month. Thailand stocks added to Tuesday"s gains to hit a one-week high, after falling for eight straight sessions, and were set to add 0.7% for the June quarter. Thailand"s tourism- reliant economy, which has been hit by a collapse in foreign visitors, could find some respite in its auto sector, with the value of car exports tipped to surge to a record this year. Indonesian stocks continued to recuperate from Monday"s 1% drop, even as the country battles a raging virus surge. Most emerging Asian currencies were subdued, with the rupiah and South Korea"s won weakening slightly. A dip in China"s June factory activity to a four-month low did little to affect sentiment, while data showing a rise in U.S. consumer confidence overnight boosted a gauge of global equities to near record highs. HIGHLIGHTS ** Indonesian 10-year benchmark yields are up 3.3 basis points at 6.643% ** Malaysia"s 10-year benchmark yield is down 2.3 basis points at 3.292%​​ ​​ Asia stock indexes and currencies at 0357 GMT COUNTRY FX RIC FX FX INDEX STOCK STOCKS DAILY % YTD % S YTD % DAILY % Japan +0.00 -6.57 0.05 5.03 China +0.10 +1.09 0.24 3.13 India +0.00 -1.56 0.18 12.84 Indonesia -0.14 -3.17 0.51 0.01 Malaysia -0.05 -3.18 -0.35 -5.19 Philippines -0.05 -1.41 -0.22 -2.78 S.Korea -0.13 -3.88 0.40 14.84 Singapore +0.07 -1.73 1.34 10.09 Taiwan +0.08 +2.14 0.99 20.63 Thailand +0.06 -6.43 0.44 10.28 (Reporting by Soumyajit Saha in Bengaluru; Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa) Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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