LONDON: The Singapore dollar gained on Thursday after strong industrial production data boosted growth prospects, while most Asian stock markets edged higher, buoyed by enthusiasm at China's aggressive stimulus package to boost the region's largest economy.
The Singapore dollar strengthened 0.2 per cent against the greenback. The currency has been hovering near a seven-year high touched earlier in the week. Local stocks, on the other hand, traded flat.
Data showed that industrial production in the city-state jumped 21 per cent year-on-year in August, compared with the 9 per cent increase estimated in a Reuters poll, lifted by a higher biomedicals and electronics output.
Analysts at Barclays estimate Singapore's gross domestic product growth is on track to rise to 4.2 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter, compared with 2.9 per cent in the second quarter, with the rebound in manufacturing being the swing factor.
They also expect the Monetary Authority of Singapore to leave its forex policy settings unchanged through 2025, with the policy statement sounding less hawkish but not dovish.
Among other Southeast Asian assets, Manila stocks gained 1.3 per cent, while equities in Taipei were up 0.4 per cent.
The Indonesian rupiah and the Philippine peso weakened 0.5 per cent and 0.1 per cent, respectively.
On Wednesday, the People's Bank of China cut medium-term lending rates to banks, a day after Beijing unveiled wide-ranging policy easing measures including steps to boost the stock market and support for the ailing property sector.
Also aiding sentiment, Bloomberg News reported earlier in the day that China was considering plans to inject capital of up to 1 trillion yuan (US$142.46 billion) into its biggest state banks to beef up capacity to support the struggling economy.
Optimism remains broadly intact, said Christopher Wong, a currency strategist at OCBC, especially on talk of the capital injection, although some Asian currencies might see profit-taking after their extended rally.
"The positive combination of hopes of another round of support measures (leading to steady yuan), growth in the region looking well, Fed easing cycle and softer U.S. dollar, should continue to be supportive of Asian FX recovery," Wong said.
The Thai baht gained 0.1 per cent to hover near a 30-month high hit on Wednesday.
The country's benchmark stock index slipped 0.3 per cent.
The baht has been among Southeast Asia's top performers this year, boosted by political stability, foreign inflows and strong gold prices.
Seoul stocks jumped 2.9 per cent as heavyweight chipmakers rallied after U.S. peer Micron Technology posted strong quarterly earnings amid solid demand for its memory chips.
Globally, market participants will watch for a slew of U.S. data, such as GDP and jobless claims, along with speeches by Federal Reserve policymakers, including remarks from Chair Jerome Powell, that could furnish clues to the rate outlook.