SINGAPORE, April 17 — Philippine shares slumped today to their lowest in nearly 10 months, while most other South-east Asian stock markets trod water as investors assessed a mixed bag of economic data out of China.

China’s economy grew 6.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2018 from a year earlier, official data showed, unchanged from the previous quarter. But separate data showed March industrial output missed expectations and first-quarter fixed-asset investment growth slowed, tempering equity market sentiment.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan edged lower marginally.

Philippine shares slumped 1.5 per cent to their lowest since June 30 and were on track for a third straight session of losses, with financials weighing down the index.

Bank of the Philippine Islands and BDO Unibank Inc fell 3.1 per cent and 2.5 per cent, respectively.

There has been strong selling since late February, said Fio Dejesus, an equity research analyst at RCBC Securities.

Although consolidation began last month, investors still seem bearish, he said, adding the index might pick up from the 7,500 level.

Malaysian shares rose 0.2 per cent to their highest since July 2014 and were on track for their eighth winning session in nine.

Telecom company DiGi.Com Bhd rose 4.4 per cent in the session.

Singapore shares edged up 0.3 per cent to a near four-week high, with financials leading the charge.

Singapore’s top lenders, DBS Group Holdings Ltd and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd, gained more than 1 per cent each.

The city-state’s non-oil exports unexpectedly fell from a year earlier in March as electronics shipments fell for the fourth consecutive month, official data showed today.

Indonesian shares were up 0.1 per cent, with energy stocks leading the gains.

Heavyweight United Tractors Tbk PT rose 3.2 per cent, while Astra International Tbk PT was up 0.7 per cent.

Thai shares were little changed when trading resumed after a holiday yesterday. — Reuters