SINGAPORE: Most Southeast Asian stock markets rose on the last trading day of the year on Friday, with Indonesia scaling a new high for a third straight session and the Philippines extending gains to hit an all-time peak. Financials led Friday's gains with Bank Rakyat Indonesia and Bank Central Asia jumping to record highs. Industrials accounted for nearly half the gains with SM Investments Corp climbing to record high and Aboitiz Equity Ventures hitting a more than six-week high. Vietnam shares rose on Friday, helped by financial and consumer stocks. They have gained about 48 percent so far this year, making them the best performer in Southeast Asia, and set for a sixth straight yearly rise.

Source: The Star December 29, 2017 04:18 UTC