Southeast Asian stocks largely down

Southeast Asian stock markets ended soft on Tuesday, in line with Asian peers, as investors were guarded ahead of US President Donald Trump's policy speech and due to some month-end book-squaring. Markets have been awaiting more details on Trump's proposed stimulus plans to judge if they would boost inflation and economic growth, and add to the case for higher US interest rates.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan erased earlier modest gains and edged down slightly. "His speeches are always fire and brimstone so it's going to be like that again and there's going to be a lot of superlatives ... that's what people are anticipating," said Joseph Roxas, president of Manila-based Eagle Equities Inc.
Philippines stocks ended 0.3 percent lower, posting a monthly fall of 0.2 percent, as industrial and financial stocks pulled down the index. DMCI Holdings lost more than 3 percent, while BDO Unibank lost 2 percent. Singapore shares lost 0.4 percent as oil and gas firms Keppel Corp and Sembcorp Industries shed 1.7 percent and 1.2 percent respectively. On the month, the index gained 1.6 percent.
Singapore's inflation forecast for 2017 has been revised up to 1.2 percent from 0.9 percent, DBS Group Research said in a note. This is to take into account the upside risk to inflation in the coming months, the note said. Thai shares closed flat after January manufacturing and February trade data missed expectations. . The index ended the month with a 1.1 percent gain.
Investors will be looking out for February headline consumer price index in the next session, which is seen rising 1.6 percent for an 11th straight month compared to last year, a Reuters poll showed. Vietnam shares fell 0.9 percent on the day, but posted a monthly gain of 1.9 percent.