Singapore stocks surged 1.6% posting its third straight gain supported by financials and real estate stocks. Real estate stocks got a boost from the Housing & Development Board (HDB) announcement. "The higher CPF grant and income ceiling will improve the HDB resale and upgraders market. This is supportive for the private residential mass market," said Paul Chew, head of research at Phillip Securities Research.
Shares of Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd and City Developments Ltd gained 3.7% and 2.4%, respectively. "Any revival of property transaction volumes will be supportive of mortgage loans which have been contracting in Singapore," he added. Shares of top lenders DBS Group Holdings and United Overseas Bank Ltd rose 1.4% and 2.3%, respectively.
Malaysian stocks gained 0.4% after trading in a tight range during the day, as government data showed the industrial production index rising at its slowest in five years in July, boosting hopes of monetary easing. Indonesian stocks gained 0.7% closing at its highest level since July 31, buoyed by financial and consumer stocks. Astra International Tbk Pt rose 3.8% to a more than one-month closing high. Shares of Bank central Asia Tbk Pt gained 0.7%. Philippine stocks gained 0.5% on the back of real estate and utility stocks.
Ayala Land Inc gained 2%, while Aboitiz Power Corp surged 2.4%. Financial and material stocks drove the Thai benchmark index 0.5% higher. Vietnam stocks bucked the trend, easing marginally.