FTSE STI closed 1,584.86, up 8.92 points or 0.57% with a total volume of 878M and a total value of S$872M. Total number of advance vs decline was 183 vs 211. Of the 30 component index stocks, 13 closed positive, 14 closed negative and 3 remained unchanged. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. JMH 400US$ +0.600
2. DBS +0.310
3. JSH 500US$ +0.280
4. UOB +0.190
5. SIA +0.100
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. Jardine C&C -0.270
2. SembCorp -0.170
3. KepCorp -0.110
4. Wilmar -0.090
5. SGX -0.070
US markets reserved up yesterday night after US Fed Chairman announced a US$300b to buy company treasurary bill which surprised the markets with this measure. Asia bourses reacted positively on the open this morning but soon gave up the gain when investors chose to take profit. Nikkei closed -0.33%, HSI +0.11% and SSE +1.89%. STI was marginally positive with bank stocks holding up the gain. SembCorp was on the spotlight for the day when news of a rights issue waiting for approval in next month AGM caused fear in investors and sold down the counter.
