Southeast Asian stock markets, except Indonesia, closed lower on Friday, with investor sentiment in export-reliant Asian economies jittery as US President Donald Trump again accused China of being a currency manipulator. In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Trump called China the "grand champions" of currency manipulation, hours after his new Treasury Secretary promised a more methodical approach to analysing Beijing's foreign exchange practices.
In Singapore, shares ended 0.7 percent lower after the city-state reported factory output fell 6 percent from December, more than double the 2.6 percent contraction predicted in a Reuters poll.
The index, however, posted a third straight weekly gain, adding 0.3 percent.
Oil and gas, and consumer stocks took a hit, with Genting Singapore dropping 2.4 percent and rig builder Sembcorp Industries off 2.7 percent.
Philippine shares slipped for a second day, ending 1 percent lower, as realtors SM Investments and Ayala Land shed 1.8 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively.
The index added 0.2 percent on the week.
Indonesia was the region's only gainer, finishing 0.2 percent higher. It rose 0.7 percent on the week.
Malaysia and Thailand dropped slightly, while Vietnam lost 0.3 percent.
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