FTSE STI closed 2,569.93, down 26.46 points or -1.02% with a total volume of 2.59b and a total value of S$1.85b. Total number of advance vs decline was 146 vs 400. Of the 30 component index stocks, 11 closed positive and 19 closed negative. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. NOL +0.070
2. ComfortDelGro +0.070
3. Genting +0.070
4. StarHub +0.030
5. F&N +0.030
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. JMH 400US$ -1.280
2. JSH 500US$ -0.740
3. Jardine C&C -0.340
4. Olam -0.180
5. UOB -0.180
US markets fell at least 2% despite good economic data on manufacturing growth and pending home sales. Investors sold down financial stocks in worry of the financial sector. Asia bourses except SSE took the cue and trading in the negative region for the day. SSE continued its rebound from recent correction to close +1.16%. Nikkei closed -2.37% and HSI -1.76%. STI thought in the red but was trading in a narrow range between 2,560 to 2,580 with mostly defensive stocks holding up well as investors fled to take shelter in those defensive stocks. Investors will be eying on how US markets' performance following the sell off and this Friday unemployment rate.
