FTSE STI closed 1,691.68, down 14.66 points or 0.86% with a total volume of 1.27b and a total value of S$988M. Total number of advance vs decline was 156 vs 219. Of the 30 component index stocks, 7 closed positive, 18 closed negative and 5 remained unchanged. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. SPH +0.060
2. UOB +0.040
2. DBS +0.040
4. ST Engg +0.020
4. NOL +0.020
The top 5 loser component index stocks were :-
1. JSH 500US$ -0.290
2. JMH 400US$ -0.200
3. SIA -0.160
4. Wilmar -0.130
5. CityDev -0.120
US markets retreated yesterday night after a strong rally the day before. Asia bourses mostly down on profit taking. Nikkei -0.1%, HSI -2.07% and SSE -2.00%. STI was marginally down on profit taking after recent strong rebound. Property, Commodity and dOffshore/Marine counters were subject to selling pressure. Bank counters were holding up well. Defensive stocks have a good run today, probably doing a delay rally after the high-beta stocks.
