FTSE STI closed 1,704.52, down 18.85 points or 1.09% with a total volume of 830M and a total value of S$848M. Total number of advance vs decline was 132 vs 240. Of the 30 component index stocks, 8 closed positive, 21 closed negative and 1 remain unchanged. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. Jardine C&C +0.340
2. UOB +0.240
3. CapitaMall +0.060
4. SembCorp +0.050
5. NobleGrp +0.040
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. SIA -0.260
2. CityDev -0.250
3. JMH 400US$ -0.220
4. HKLand US$ -0.130
5. KepCorp -0.110
5. F&N -0.110
5. DBS -0.110
US markets did not rally up on Obama's inauguration and instead down at least 4% on fierce of more woes on the banks and ailing economy. As such, Asia bourses also fell today with Nikkei closed -2.04%, HSI -2.90% and SSE -0.46%. STI fell below 1,680 on open but soon parse off loss and managed to close above 1,700. Bank stocks were mixed with UOB closed positive while DBS and OCBC both underwater. Property and Offshore/Marine stocks were also under heavy selling pressure. However, S-Reits bucked the trend by outperformed STI as investors are anticipating tomorrow Singapore Budget would have some measures in flavour of the Reits company. Singapore this morning also reported its 4Q08 GDP down 16.9%, more than expected. Singapore Government also revised its 2009 GDP from 5% - 2% to -2% - +1%. Investors will also be eying tonight when the new Treasurey Sec. outline how the US Government going to use the rescue money to save the ailing economy.
