FTSE STI closed 2,979.38, up 12.39 points or +0.42% with a total volume of 1.59b and a total value of S$1.61b. Total number of advance vs decline was 254 vs 194. Of the 30 component index stocks, 17 closed positive, 10 closed negative and 3 remained unchanged. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. SIA +0.260
2. KepCorp +0.170
3. DBS +0.160
4. UOB +0.160
5. HKLand US$ +0.130
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. JMH 400US$ -0.800
2. JSH 500US$ -0.740
3. Jardine C&C -0.300
4. CityDev -0.140
5. SIA Engg -0.120
US markets were up at least +1% yesterday night after a better than expected home sales data and corporate earnings. Asian bourses however were mixed for the day with Nikkei closed -0.07%, SSE -0.51% and HSI +0.64%. STI resisted at 3,000 level closed +12.39 points at 2,979.38 when investors snapping up the blue chips with SIA and the bank stocks leading the buying. Positive DJ future and European markets opening also helped the buying momentum near closing. Investors will be looking at this Friday DBS earning for a firmer direction of Singapore economy status.
