CORRECTED-SE Asia Stocks-Slip on uncertainty over U.S.-China trade talks
(Corrects 10th paragraph to show poll forecasted Malaysia's Oct inflation at 1.0%, not 1.1%) * U.S. Senate's Hong Kong bill may strain trade talks - analyst * Malaysia Oct inflation rises 1.1% y/y * Semirara mining ban weighs on Philippine market By Arundhati Dutta Nov 20 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Wednesday amid fears that trade talks between Beijing and Washington could be derailed after President Donald Trump threatened fresh tariffs and the U.S. Senate passed a bill aimed at protecting human rights in Hong Kong. Trump said on Tuesday he had a good relationship with China, noting that Beijing was "moving along." However, he said China would have to make a deal "I like". Market participants are worried about a further deterioration in relations between the two countries after the Senate unanimously passed a legislation to protect human rights in Hong Kong amid a crackdown on the pro-democracy protest movement. China on Wednesday condemned the move, asking the United States to stop interfering in Hong Kong and Chinese affairs. "There are some concerns that it might result in no interim trade deal between the two countries, especially since China is really touchy about the subject," said Rachelle C Cruz, an analyst at AP Securities. Philippine stocks were the top losers in the region, dragged by Semirara Mining and Power Corp and DMCI Holdings Inc. Semirara fell as much as 13% after the coal miner was directed by the energy department to suspend all mining activities under a contract immediately, in relation to a mudflow incident in October. DMCI, which derives around half of its earnings from Semirara, lost nearly 7.9%. Malaysian equities fell, hurt by losses in large caps like telco Axiata Group and Petronas Gas . Data showed inflation in October rose 1.1% from a year ago, slightly higher than a 1.0% increase forecast by a Reuters poll. Mild inflation in recent times and sluggish economic growth in the third quarter amid a slump in exports and mining have fuelled expectations of a rate cut by the central bank early next year. Trade-sensitive Singapore shares dipped 0.2%, dragged by real estate stocks. Thai shares fell 0.3%, dragged by oil and gas companies PTT Pcl and PTT Exploration and Production due to a fall in crude oil prices overnight. For Asian Companies click; SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS AS AT 0408 GMT Market Current Previous close Pct Move Singapore 3232.8 3238.87 -0.19 Bangkok 1602.34 1607.25 -0.31 Manila 7880.6 7912.14 -0.40 Jakarta 6147.061 6152.09 -0.08 Kuala Lumpur 1598.73 1605.31 -0.41 Ho Chi Minh 1003.59 1008.35 -0.47 Change so far in 2019 Market Current End 2018 Pct Move Singapore 3232.8 3068.76 5.35 Bangkok 1602.34 1563.88 2.46 Manila 7880.6 7,466.02 5.55 Jakarta 6147.061 6,194.50 -0.77 Kuala Lumpur 1598.73 1690.58 -5.43 Ho Chi Minh 1003.59 892.54 12.44 (Reporting by Arundhati Dutta; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
