SE Asia Stocks-Cautious ahead of U.S. econ data, Yellen's speech next week

(Corrects paragraph 1 to show U.S. inflation, jobs data due

this week, not next week)

By Aparajita Saxena

May 31 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stocks were largely

cautious on Tuesday as investors waited for cues from U.S.

inflation and employment data this week, the two most important

indicators for a "data-dependent" U.S. Federal Reserve.

Investors will also be keeping a keen eye out for Fed chair

Janet Yellen's speech in Philadelphia on Monday for clarity over

whether rates would be increased as early as June. On Friday,

Yellen said that if current economic conditions hold, a rate

hike over the next few months would be "appropriate."

While Fed policymakers will be looking at inflation and jobs

data as they decide whether to raise key interest rates as soon

as June, traders will read through them to try and get ahead of

the Fed decision.

"We're not expecting markets to react badly to the interest

rate hike, the way they did last year. Investors are comfortable

and are getting a clearer picture of the trajectory of a Fed

rate hike, so there will be less surprises in the markets this

time, and less sudden movements," said Grace Aller, an analyst

at Manila-based AP Securities.

"The underlying message from a Fed rate hike is that global

economies are recovering, and that sits well with investors. We

expect markets to move sideways until then."

Singapore was up, underpinned by financial stocks.

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp and United Overseas Bank

Ltd were among the top percentage gainers.

Oil and gas stocks also rose, tracking an increase in oil

prices which were up toward $50 barrel on Monday.

Sembcorp Marine and Keppel Corp were up

1.29 percent and 0.91 percent, respectively.

Vietnam rose 0.9 percent, led by gains in utilities and

financials.

Indonesia however fell, snapping four days of gains,

dragged down by financials.

"Expect some technical correction on JCI today after a 2

percent rally since the last 5 days," said Trimegah Securities

in a note.

Malaysia slipped for a second straight day, with

CIMB Group Bhd losing the most on the index.

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STOCK MARKETS

Change at 0502 GMT

Market Current Previous close Pct Move

Singapore 2825.15 2796.75 1.02

Bangkok 1422.78 1424.12 -0.09

Manila 7492.32 7464.34 0.37

Jakarta 4814.096 4836.033 -0.45

Kuala Lumpur 1626.31 1629.87 -0.22

Ho Chi Minh 619.92 614.5 0.88

Change on year

Market Current End 2015 Pct Move

Singapore 2825.15 2882.73 -2.00

Bangkok 1422.78 1288.02 10.46

Manila 7492.32 6952.08 7.77

Jakarta 4814.096 4593.008 4.81

Kuala Lumpur 1626.31 1692.51 -3.91

Ho Chi Minh 619.92 579.03 7.06

(Reporting by Aparajita Saxena; Editing by Biju Dwarakanath)