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SE Asia Stocks-Most drop on concerns over economic recovery

* Singapore shares drop to the lowest level since April-end * Sime Darby Plantations top loser in Malaysian index By Pranav A K May 14 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Thursday as fears of a delay in economic recovery due to rising coronavirus cases in countries easing lockdowns were exacerbated by dour outlook from the U.S. Federal Reserve chairman. All three major U.S. stock indexes ended lower overnight after Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned of an "extended period" of weak economic growth, pointing to uncertainty over how well future outbreaks of the virus can be controlled. "Warnings of prolonged economic weakness by Fed chair Jerome Powell further dampened sentiment this week, weighing on Wall Street and likewise to drag Asia markets lower into the end of week," said Jingyi Pan, market strategist at IG. Shares in Singapore, a bellwether for global trade, fell 1.4% to their lowest level since April 27. Consumer stocks dominated the losses, with agri-business group Wilmar International falling 2.3%, while Resort operator Genting Singapore slipped 2% after quarterly earnings tumbled. Adding to worries over the pandemic, the World Health Organization said the coronavirus may never go away. The Philippine index dropped 0.8%, set for a third straight session of losses. The country's government said on Wednesday gross domestic product is expected to decline 2% to 3.4% this year, the first contraction in more than two decades. Shares of conglomerate GT Capital dropped 3.1%, while those of Ayala Corp were trading 2.8% lower after it posted a 17% drop in first-quarter profit. In Malaysia, the benchmark edged 0.3% lower after data showed on Wednesday the economy will contract in the second quarter as the coronavirus hits exports and domestic demand. Among top losers were palm oil planter Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, which slid 3.1%, and Malaysia Airports down 2.8%. For Asian Companies click; STOCK MARKETS AS AT 0340 GMT Change on the day Market Current Previous close Pct Move Singapore 2537.23 2572.01 -1.35 Bangkok 1281.75 1294.55 -0.99 Manila 5578.72 5626.25 -0.84 Jakarta 4556.198 4554.359 0.04 Kuala Lumpur 1392.85 1397.13 -0.31 Ho Chi Minh 830.02 834.21 -0.50 Change so far in 2020 Market Current End 2019 Pct Move Singapore 2537.23 3222.83 -21.27 Bangkok 1281.75 1579.84 -18.87 Manila 5578.72 7,815.26 -28.62 Jakarta 4556.198 6,299.54 -27.67 Kuala Lumpur 1392.85 1588.76 -12.33 Ho Chi Minh 830.02 960.99 -13.63 (Reporting by A K Pranav in Bengaluru; Editing by Aditya Soni)