EMERGING MARKETS-Currencies firm as mighty dollar sinks; stocks subdued on tariff jitters

By Sameer Manekar

April 11 (Reuters) - Asian currencies rose against the dollar on Friday as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on trading partners prompted a rush out of the world's reserve currency, though stocks remained subdued on lingering tariff concerns.

The U.S. dollar index =USD fell below 100 against a basket of major units for the first time since July 2023 as investors ditched U.S. assets for other safe-havens like the Swiss franc, yen, euro and gold.

Singapore's dollar SGD= firmed to its highest level in more than five months, while Malaysia's ringgit MYR= appreciated by 0.7%. The Philippine peso PHP= and Vietnam's dong VND= hit a one-week high, while the Indonesian rupiah IDR= was largely flat.

Taiwan's dollar TWD=TP hit an over six-week high, and South Korea's won KRW=KFTC edged up. An MSCI index of emerging market currencies .MIEM00000CUS touched its best level in a week.

"A broadly weaker dollar amid a trade slowdown makes the monetary policy picture more clear for EM central banks," said Alex Wolf, head of Asia Investment Strategy at J.P. Morgan Private Bank.

"A weaker USD driven by financial outflows as global investors soured on the U.S. exceptionalism has boosted EM currencies (with a few exceptions), providing central banks more leeway in setting policy."

On Thursday, the Philippine central bank resumed its easing cycle, cutting its key interest rate by a quarter-point. Next week, Singapore's central bank is widely expected to reduce the slope of its policy band by at least 50 basis points.

Traders resumed the sell-off in Asian emerging equities a day after a rally prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump's abrupt announcement of a 90-day pause in hefty import tariffs, though sentiment improved as the day progressed.

Trump's erratic tariff policies and their potential economic fallout have eroded appetite for risk, with the intensifying trade war with China, Southeast Asia's largest trade partner, keeping traders on edge.

Stocks in Singapore were last trading 1.7% lower after falling as much as 3%, while those in Malaysia .KLSE and Thailand .SETI were down around 0.4% after falling up to 2%.

Indonesia's benchmark .JKSE drifted within a tight range after an early 1.7% drop. Philippine stocks .PSI reversed course to trade largely flat.

Most Southeast Asian stock gauges were set to end the week deep in the red.

An MSCI index gauge of Asian emerging market equities .MIMS00000PUS reversed course from early losses, boosted by Taiwan's stocks .TWII, which jumped 2.8% after an initial 3% dip.

The East Asian country expects to be included in the first batch of trading partners to hold talks with Washington.

HIGHLIGHTS:

FTSE ASEAN 40 index .FTASEAN40 down 0.4%, led by Singapore banks

China's Xi to visit Southeast Asia as trade conflict with U.S. deepens

Indonesian companies allocate nearly $900 million for share buybacks, regulator says

Facing Trump tariffs, Vietnam eyes crackdown on some China trade