EMERGING MARKETS-EM stocks sag as investors hunker down before US data

By Niket Nishant

Dec 16 (Reuters) - Emerging market stocks fell to a three-week low on Tuesday, with a solid year facing a subdued end as a trickle of U.S. data keeps investors on edge.

The moves come as investors juggle several factors this week, including a slate of central bank decisions, revived worries about tech valuations and the aftermath of Chile's presidential election, reinforcing their tendency to remain on the sidelines before committing capital.

MSCI's index of emerging market stocks .MSCIEF slid 1.3%. The currencies gauge .MIEM00000CUS also slipped 0.1%, remaining trapped within recent ranges.

However, expectations for regional currencies remain bright as a softer dollar boosts their appeal as an alternative for investors seeking higher returns.

FRAGILE POLITICS CLOUD THAI PROSPECTS

In Asia, the Thai baht THB=TH fell 0.3%, set to snap a six-session winning streak after central bank Governor Vitai Ratanakorn said policymakers had acted to contain rapid gains in the currency.

Investors have been watching developments in the country after it clashed with Cambodia over a border dispute and heads towards a snap poll in February.

"The next election likely does not result in any more coherent a coalition than the outgoing one and, therefore, the prospects of the structural reform Thailand needs," said Hasnain Malik, EM equity and geopolitics strategist at Tellimer Research.

Thai equities .SETI slipped 0.9%.

China's real estate shares .CSI000952 extended their slide for the fourth consecutive day, falling 0.3%, while the blue-chip CSI 300 index .CSI300 dropped 1.2%.

Sentiment has been shaky in recent days, especially as troubles at China Vanke 000002.SZ revive concerns about the crisis-hit property sector.

PEACE TALKS LIFT UKRAINE BONDS

Ukraine's dollar-denominated bonds rose on signs of progress towards ending the country's war with Russia, after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that an agreement is "closer than ever".

A breakthrough could be a major catalyst for global assets and ease investor jitters over other risks, such as anxieties about AI and a potential tech bubble.

Still, investors have previously been caught wrong-footed by false positives and are unlikely to fully buy in until they see tangible evidence.

"Trump's envoys are claiming serious progress in the talks, but there are still no clear indications that the Kremlin is willing to accept conditions that would lead to a sustainable peace," said John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and the senior director of Eurasia Center at think tank Atlantic Council.

ARGENTINA'S FX SHIFT

Later in the session, attention will shift to Latin America, where Argentina's central bank said on Monday it would tie the peso's trading band to inflation, in a bid to build reserves and stabilize the economy.

"We view changes as positive. While not fully giving up for now on the demand for a fully floating FX regime, at least some FX flexibility is added," analysts at Morgan Stanley said.

"This decision will likely reduce tensions with the International Monetary Fund staff," they added.

Earlier this month, the IMF said Argentina's policies will need to support a stronger accumulation of reserves.

Markets will also be on watch for a deal between the European Union and the Mercosur group of Latin American economies. Italy and France want a final EU vote on the deal to be delayed, Reuters reported on Monday.