BANGKOK, Oct 16 — Most Southeast Asian stock markets rose in line with global equities today, with foreign-led buying bringing Malaysia’s key index to a more-than-two-month high and most others in the region notching up further gains on the week.

Malaysia’s key stock index was up 0.2 per cent at its highest close since August 5, finishing the week 0.6 per cent higher.

Bursa Malaysia said foreign investors bought shares for a second week worth a net RM412 million (US$98.80 million).

Bucking the trend, the Thai SET index fell 0.5 per cent, coming off a 10-week high in early trade, trimming its gain on the week to 0.5 per cent.

Shares of Bank of Ayudhya dropped 7.3 per cent on profit-taking after a 20 per cent rally over the past two days on hopes of improved third-quarter results, due by next week.

Vietnam’s benchmark VN Index closed up 0.1 per cent on the day as investors awaited third-quarter corporate results. It rose 0.9 per cent on the week in line with most others in the region. Singapore’s index rose 1.1 per cent on the week.

Indices in Indonesia and the Philippines posted a weekly loss of more than 1 per cent each after a strong showing last week when foreign investors tentatively bought back into the region on hopes a US Fed rate hike would be delayed.

Europe extended a global share market rebound today, following Asian and US stock indices higher after better US data helped allay fears about global growth and sent world stocks to two-month highs. — Reuters