EMERGING MARKETS-Stocks, FX steady as investors weigh data, IMF remarks

By Johann M Cherian and Sudeshna Ghoshal

Oct 14 (Reuters) - Most emerging market stocks and currencies were steady on Wednesday as a global tech selloff showed signs of easing, while investors assessed a raft of economic data and comments from the International Monetary Fund.

US inflation data due later in the day and its influence on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy outlook is also pivotal for EM rate expectations and asset prices.

Higher US interest rates typically strengthen the dollar, weigh on EM currencies and make hard-currency debt servicing more expensive for developing economies.

MSCI's EM stocks index .MSCIEF inched up 0.1%, while the currencies gauge .MILA00000CUS edged up 0.2%.

The tech-heavy benchmarks of South Korea .KS11 and Taiwan .TWII were down 0.4% and up 0.6%, respectively. The indexes logged sharp declines in the previous session on signs of increasing Chinese competition in the memory chip sector.

On Wednesday, data showed China's trade surplus widened more than expected in September and was set to surpass last year's record of $1.189 trillion, defying trade tensions that the economy had to face from major partners.

"It sets up a strong economy ultimately in factories that are working overtime to keep up with it. But at the same time, it also highlights the fact that now they're dependent on Europe and the US to keep buying their stuff because otherwise the domestic economy is going to get even worse," said Michael Field, chief equity market strategist for EMEA at Morningstar.

On Wednesday, data showed China's producer prices rising at their fastest pace in more than four years last month amid strong international demand, although domestic consumer inflation lagged.

The yuan ticked higher to 6.7 per dollar, hovering near January 2023 highs and strengthening over the past three months.

DATA DAY

Global inflation concerns have flared up this year as oil prices stay elevated due to the prolonged Middle East conflict, prompting central banks to take a more hawkish stance on monetary policy.

In emerging Europe, Poland's zloty was largely steady, while equities .WIG dipped 0.7% after a final estimate showed inflation rose more than expected in September.

Turkish stocks .XU100 lost 0.9% after Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan said the bank would maintain its tight monetary policy until price stability is achieved.

Singapore's central bank kept its monetary settings unchanged in a move that surprised analysts. The country's dollar traded a touch lower.

In Bangkok, the International Monetary Fund urged countries to improve their public finances. While the scrutiny is heavy on developed economies, favorable financing conditions for developing economies might not last, it said.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said she was optimistic that Senegal would be able to renegotiate its debts as the African country grapples with the aftermath of about $14 billion in unreported debt.

Local bonds , were marginally higher and were on track for their biggest weekly rise since early September.