FTSE STI closed 2,302.46, up 23.50 points or 1.03% with a total volume of 1.41b and a total value of S$1.40b. Total number of advance vs decline was 333 vs 146. Of the 30 component index stocks, 15 closed positive, 11 closed negative and 4 remained unchanged. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. CityDev +0.270
2. DBS +0.200
3. HKLand US$ +0.150
4. F&N +0.140
5. KepCorp +0.120
5. Capitaland +0.120
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. SIA -0.160
2. Jardine C&C -0.040
3. SPH -0.040
4. StarHub -0.040
5. NOL -0.030
US markets closed mixed yesterday with a better than expected Durable Goods Order, below expectation New Home Sales and the Federal Reserve maintained low interest rate signalling no rate hike for the moment. Asia bourses welcome US Fed Chief positive comment on the economy with stocks mainly traded in the positive region. Nikkei closed +2.15%, SSE +0.09% and HSI +2.14%. STI closed above the 2,300 level with bank and property stocks leading the rally. Investors will be eying tonight US 1Q09 GDP figure.
