FTSE STI closed 1,913.66, down 11.21 points or 0.58% with a total volume of 1.6b and a total value of S$1.46b. Total number of advance vs decline was 207 vs 229. Of the 30 component index stocks, 9 closed positive, 15 closed negative and 6 remained unchanged. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. JMH 400US$ +0.660
2. JSH 500US$ +0.400
3. KepCorp +0.220
4. DBS +0.140
5. F&N +0.080
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. SIA -0.560
2. UOB -0.200
3. Capitaland -0.190
4. Jardine C&C -0.140
5. Wilmar -0.120
US markets closed lower yesterday night subject to profit taking after ran up for last week. Asia bourses mostly traded lower for today. Nikkei closed +0.42%, HSI closed -0.35% and SSE closed +3.00%. STI also closed 0.58% down due to profit taking; unable to breakout from 1,930 level. Most of the defensive stocks were under heavy selling pressure today probably funds switching out of the defensive stocks to channel to the penny stocks. STI immediate support is the 1,900 level and next will be 1,850 level. A breakout from 1,930 level will see STI possible rally to 2,000 level. Most analysts believe STI is able to hit the 2,000 level in short-term especially when Jan 20th Obama becomes US President and Jan 22nd Singapore Budget day just weeks away.
