Investors are waiting for the payrolls report for confirmation the economy continues to strengthen, with an eye on an expected hike in benchmark interest rates by the Federal Reserve at its meeting on Dec. 13-14.

"What happened in the United States was not unanticipated as the U.S. market had been on the rise for the past several weeks. So, this fall was not enough to upset the momentum of oil and gas-dependent economies like Malaysia and Indonesia," said Syed Kifni, a research analyst at MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd.

A sharp decline in technology stocks pulled both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 indexes into the red on Thursday. .N

Oil prices slipped on Friday as some investors opted to cash out after Brent touched a 16-month high on Thursday, with optimism over this week's OPEC-Russia accord on cutting output giving way to questions on the "sticking point" of implementing the deal.O/R

Singapore shares  .STI fell 0.2 percent, heading for their first drop in nine sessions, with consumer staples leading the decline. Singapore Telecommunications Ltd  STEL.SI dropped 1.1 percent. The FTSE Straits Times Index was on track for its highest weekly gain since the week ended on Sept. 9.

Vietnam shares  .VNI were down 0.5 percent after two consecutive sessions of gains, dragged down by industrials with Faros Construction Corp  ROS.HM shedding 2.6 percent.

Indonesia  .JKSE rose 0.2 percent, heading for a fourth straight session of gains, helped by financials. Indonesian shares have climbed 1.7 percent so far this week, on track for their highest weekly gain since the week ended on Sept. 23.

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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS: change as of 0438 GMT

Current    

previous close 

Pct Move

 Singapore        

2922.57    

2928.58         

-0.21

 Bangkok          

1509.85    

1512.38         

-0.17

 Manila           

6852.38    

6864.87         

-0.18

 Jakarta          

5207.806   

5198.755        

0.17

 Kuala Lumpur     

1627.91    

1626.44         

0.09

 Ho Chi Minh      

663.44     

666.54          

-0.47

Change this year
 

Market           

Current    

End 2015        

Pct Move

 Singapore        

2922.57    

2882.73         

1.38

 Bangkok          

1509.85    

1288.02         

17.22

 Manila           

6852.38    

6952.08         

-1.43

 Jakarta          

5207.806   

4593.008        

13.39

 Kuala Lumpur     

1627.91    

1692.51         

-3.82

 Ho Chi Minh      

663.44     

579.03          

14.58

 Source: Reuters.com