FTSE STI closed 2,672.57, up 9.26 points or +0.35% with a total volume of 2.48b and a total value of S$1.96b. Total number of advance vs decline was 155 vs 399. Of the 30 component index stocks, 17 closed positive, 11 closed negative and 2 remained unchanged. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. Jardine C&C +0.500
2. SIA +0.280
3. DBS +0.180
4. UOB +0.140
5. SPH +0.100
5. OCBC +0.100
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. JMH 400US$ -0.500
2. Wilmar -0.190
3. KepCorp -0.070
4. HKLand US$ -0.050
5. SIA Engg -0.040
5. JSH 500US$ -0.040
US markets retreated yesterday due to a poor consumer confidence data. Asia bourses were relatively flattish for the day with the poor performance of US markets yesterday night. With SSE and HSI close for tomorrow for China 60th anniversary, investors were not keen in taking position over the holiday for these 2 bourses. Nikkei closed +0.33%, SSE +0.90% and HSI -0.28%. STI swing between positive and negative for the days and only managed to reverse the loss in the afternoon session when European bourses get a firm opening and a positive DJ future. With some window dressing for 3Q09, some of the blue chips or index stocks were pushed up on close to help STI to close +0.35%. Investors are looking at US 2Q09 GDP and unemployment rate data for more indication of the US economy recovery.
