SE Asia stocks muted as oil outlook bleak

Southeast Asian stock markets were subdued on Friday as oil remained on course for its worst first-half decline in almost two decades, with Singapore and the Philippines edging down in the session, posting their second straight week of losses.

Oil prices edged up on Friday, but remained on course for their worst first-half decline in almost two decades as production cuts have failed to sufficiently reduce oversupply.

Oil has plunged about 20% this year, despite the Opec's efforts to cut production, which investors believe has failed to rein in the global glut.

"There are expectations that oil prices will continue to retreat in the near term," said Manny Cruz, an analyst with Manila-based Asiasec Equities Inc.

Singapore shares ended 0.2% lower, paring some of their earlier losses after data showed Singapore's industrial production grew for the 10th consecutive month in May from a year earlier, helped by strong electronics output. On the week, Singapore lost 0.7%.

The city-state's core inflation gauge in May rose 1.6% from a year earlier, matching the median forecast in a Reuters poll.

Global Logistic Properties lost 5.3%, while Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp gained 0.7%. 

Philippine shares lost 0.6% and ended the week down nearly 1%, with heavyweight SM Prime Holdings falling 2.5%.

The Philippine government posted a budget deficit of 33.4 billion pesos (US$664 million) in May, wider than the 17.7 billion pesos deficit a year earlier.

Malaysian shares edged up 0.1% in the session, with Genting Malaysia advancing 4.9%, but the market fell 0.7% over the week, ending a four-week winning run.

Indonesia's financial markets were closed on Friday and will remain shut throughout next week on account of public holidays.

Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines will also be closed on Monday.