Singapore stocks lead Southeast Asia gains

Most Southeast Asian stocks rose on Tuesday, in line with Asian peers, with the Singapore index rising about 2% earlier in the day to hit a more than one-month high, while Malaysia closed more than half a percent higher.

Asian shares advanced on Tuesday, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan extending gains to 0.8%.

The Singapore index hit its highest since July 28 before closing up 1.6%, with gains in energy stocks supporting the rally.

Sembcorp Marine and Keppel Corp rose after Brent crude oil prices gained earlier in the day, before falling on receding hopes of imminent action to tackle a supply glut.

Malaysian shares closed 0.7% higher, led by consumer cyclicals.

A Reuters poll showed Malaysia's imports in July contracted 1.5% from a year earlier, after an 8.3% rise the previous month. Malaysia is set to announce its imports and exports data on Wednesday.

Philippine stocks fell, as equities faced pressure following criticism of US President Barack Obama by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte that prompted Washington to call off a bilateral meeting.

"The cancellation of the meeting between leaders of the Philippines and the US has exacerbated selling pressure in the market," said Manny Cruz, an analyst with Asiasec Equities Inc in Manila.

Financial stocks were among the biggest losers after the country's central bank governor Amando Tetangco said there was no strong need to change monetary policy.

Conglomerate JG Summit Holdings was the biggest percentage loser, shedding 2.9%.

Indonesia rose slightly on gains in healthcare stocks, while Vietnam closed marginally lower.