SE Asia Stocks-Fall on weak Asia, risk aversion; Singapore falls sharply

BANGKOK, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets

fell on Wednesday, with Singapore benchmark sliding over 3

percent and stocks in Malaysia underperforming in the region, as

growing concerns about the health of the global banking sector

hit Asia.

Singapore's key Straits Times Index fell as much as

3.2 percent before recovering some of the losses, while Kuala

Lumpur composite index was down 0.8 percent, both

resuming trade after a four-day weekend for the Lunar New Year

holidays.

Stocks in Thailand and the Philippines

extended losses early in the week while Asian shares

declined 0.5 percent with sentiment towards risk

assets worldwide growing more bearish.

Jakarta composite index, Asia's best performer so

far this year, declined from a near six-month closing high hit

late last week.

Trading volumes were relatively thin across exchanges, led

down by Malaysia and the Philippines which were under 20 percent

of a full-day average over the past 30 days.

Market players awaited U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet

Yellen's semi-annual monetary policy testimony before Congress

later in the day, expected to provide indicators on the interest

rate outlook in the United States.

"The sentiment could improve if Fed Chair Yellen gives a

clearer picture on the U.S. economy and monetary policy in light

of other central banks going down to negative interest rate,"

said broker KGI Securities in Bangkok.

Financial results were also a focus in the region.

In Bangkok, shares of IRPC hit a two-week high

after the refiner posted a better-than-expected 2015 net profit.

In Kuala Lumpur, shares of AMMB Holdings eased 0.2

percent ahead of earnings release expected in coming days.

Vietnam remains closed for the Lunar New Year holiday

through Friday.

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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS

Change at 0434 GMT

Market Current Prev Close Pct Move

Singapore 2568.01 2623.21 -2.10

Kuala Lumpur 1650.34 1662.46 -0.73

Bangkok 1297.18 1303.96 -0.53

Jakarta 4747.84 4768.63 -0.43

Manila 6603.95 6637.43 -0.50

(Reporting by Viparat Jantraprap; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier)