FTSE STI closed 1,513.12, down 5.52 points or 0.36% with a total volume of 790M and a total value of S$655M. Total number of advance vs decline was 152 vs 236. Of the 30 component index stocks, 9 closed positive, 17 closed negative and 4 remained unchanged. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. Jardine C&C +0.230
2. HKLand US$ +0.190
3. Olam +0.060
4. SIA +0.040
5. NobleGrp +0.020
5. OCBC +0.020
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. UOB -0.270
2. DBS -0.140
3. SIA Engg -0.120
4. JMH 400US$ -0.100
5. SPH -0.070
US markets fell sharply overnight despite better economic data as investors felt disappointed with China no announcing of new stimulus package. US financial stocks were again the biggest sell down. Asia bourses reacted with negative opened this morning. Nikkei closed -3.50%, HSI -2.37% and SSE -1.26%. STI hit an intra-day low of 1495.50 but soon move off to close above the 1,500 level; -0.36%. Bank and Property stocks again leading the drop but commodity counters bucked the downtrend. Defensive stocks also under selling pressure. Investors will be looking at tonight US unemployment rate data.
