FTSE STI closed 1,708.77, up 4.25 points or 0.25% with a total volume of 863M and a total value of S$972M. Total number of advance vs decline was 159 vs 208. Of the 30 component index stocks, 13 closed positive, 14 closed negative and 3 remain unchanged. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. JMH 400US$ +1.000
2. CityDev +0.110
3. HKLand US$ +0.080
4. SembMar +0.070
4. SembCorp +0.070
The top 5 loser component index stocks were :-
1. Jardine C&C -0.340
2. Capitaland -0.110
3. SIA -0.100
4. Yanlord -0.035
4. NobleGrp -0.035
US markets recovered from previous day drop with a gain of at least 3% and Asia bourses reacted with most of them up. Nikkei closed +1.90%, HSI closed +0.59% and SSE closed +1.00%. From Japan, BOJ maintained interest rate at 0.1%, expected recession to last for 2 years and pump in more money to help the economy recover. China 2008 GDP reported 9.0%. In Singapore, FM gaved account of how the $20.5b stimulus package ( amount to 6% GDP) to aid personal and companies to tide over the poor economy period for 2009 during the budget presentation. Singapore market initially rally prior to the budget announcement but as soon as it was announced profit taking kick in and caused Banks and Property stocks to fell which drag down STI to a flattish close.
