EMERGING MARKETS-Taiwan leads losses as Asian markets fall on inflation anxiety

* Graphic: World FX rates http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh

* Graphic: Foreign flows into Asian stocks https://tmsnrt.rs/3f2vwbA

* Taiwan stocks mark worst session since March 19, 2020

* Taiwan finmin steps in to calm equity markets

* Philippine c.bank keeps rates at record low

By Rashmi Ashok

May 12 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks closed 4% lower on Wednesday and clocked their worst day in more than a year as authorities mulled tighter restrictions to tackle COVID-19 cases, while other Asian equities fell on concerns of growing U.S. inflationary pressure.

Equities in Taipei .TWII pulled back from early losses of nearly 8.6% while the Taiwan dollar TWD=TP recovered to hold steady after the country's deputy finance minister stepped in to call for calm, saying the stock market's fundamentals were sound. appetite took a beating after health authorities said they may raise the country's COVID-19 alert level in "coming days", which would mean closure of non-essential businesses, after a cluster of six new cases with no clear infection source was found.

Even a small number of cases poses a huge challenge for the island that has kept a tight lid on community outbreaks.

As of April-end, Taiwan stocks rose more than 100% from their lowest levels in March last year, buoyed by strong demand for the country's chips and electronics exports as the work-from-home shift boosted demand for home electronics.

The Philippine central bank kept its benchmark interest rates unchanged at a record low, as widely expected, in a bid to support economic recovery amid a recent spike in COVID-19 cases. Shares closed 1.4% lower at six-month low prior to the decision. and stocks in export-focused nations fell most, with shares in Seoul .KS11 slipping 1.5% and the won KRW=KFTC weakening 0.5%. Thai equities .SETI lost 0.8% and the Thai baht THB=TH weakened 0.3%.

Despite various U.S. Federal Reserve officials reiterating a firmly dovish policy stance, investors worried that higher inflation from a spike in commodity prices could force the Fed to raise interest rates. U.S. inflation data due later in the day also added to nerves.

"Markets are calling the Fed's bluff, fearing that it may need to hike rates more quickly and aggressively than expected. The U.S. CPI release will be a big focus for more clues," said Mitul Kotecha, chief EM Asia and Europe strategist at TD Securities.

"Should the Fed hint at an earlier taper, it would likely put pressure on Asian markets, with a likely firmer dollar weighing on Asian FX and higher U.S. yields pressurising Asian local currency bonds and equities," Kotecha said.

Indonesian markets were closed for the Eid festival. Markets in India, Malaysia and Singapore will also be on holiday on Thursday for the festival.

HIGHLIGHTS:

** Thailand's 10-year government bond yields are down 1.5 basis points at 1.67%​​

** In the Philippines, top index losers are Megaworld Corp MEG.PS , which dropped 5.37%, and Metro Pacific Investments Corp MPI.PS that fell 4.46%

** Top losers on FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kl Index .KLSE include Telekom Malaysia Bhd TLMM.KL , down 2.42%, and Sime Darby Plantation Bhd SIPL.KL that slipped 2.36%

Asia stock indexes and

currencies at 0808 GMT

COUNTRY FX RIC

FX

FX INDE STOCKS STOCK

DAILY YTD %

X DAILY S YTD

%

%

% Japan

JPY=

-0.16 -5.09 <.N2 -1.61 2.56

25>

China

0.61 -0.30

S>

EC>

India

INR=IN

-0.15 -0.52 <.NS -0.52 5.66

EI>

Malaysi MYR=

-0.19 -2.52 <.KL

0.31 -2.75 a

SE>

Philipp PHP=

+0.10 +0.46 <.PS -1.43 -12.6 ines

I>

5 S.Korea

C>

11>

Singapo SGD=

-0.20 -0.53 <.ST -0.70 9.79 re

I>

Taiwan

TWD=TP

-0.01 +1.89 <.TW -4.11 7.94

II>

Thailan THB=TH

-0.26 -3.88 <.SE -0.79 8.08 d

TI>

(Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)