FTSE STI closed 2,768.70, down 14.09 points or -0.51% with a total volume of 1.20b and a total value of S$1.18b. Total number of advance vs decline was 143 vs 314. Of the 30 component index stocks, 7 closed positive, 19 closed negative and 4 remained unchanged. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. SIA +0.120
2. JMH 400US$ +0.120
3. KepCorp +0.080
4. NobleGrp +0.060
5. F&N +0.050
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. Jardine C&C -0.340
2. Wilmar -0.180
3. SGX -0.160
4. DBS -0.100
5. UOB -0.060
5. CityDev -0.060
US markets closed marginally down yesterday despite report that US private sector laid off lesser than expected workers in February and US service sector expanded more than expected. Asia bourses took the cue of a flattish US markets to sell into strength. Nikkei closed -1.05%, SSE -2.38% and HSI -1.44%. STI initially opened in the positive but with profit taking, selling into strength kicking in, STI closed 14.09 points down with majority of the blue chips being sold down. Investors are taking cautious measures ahead of the US employment situation data due to report tomorrow.
