FTSE STI closed 2,986.66, up 3.83 points or +0.13% with a total volume of 1.72b and a total value of S$1.64b. Total number of advance vs decline was 273 vs 185. Of the 30 component index stocks, 17 closed positive, 8 closed negative and 5 remained unchanged. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. Jardine C&C +1.520
2. JSH 500US$ +0.160
3. SIA Engg +0.140
4. HKLand US$ +0.080
5. CityDev +0.080
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. JMH 400US$ -0.340
2. UOB -0.280
3. F&N -0.060
4. Genting -0.040
5. Olam -0.020
5. SIA -0.020
US markets advanced at least 2.5% yesterday night after a better than expected manufacturing data despite data showed that private sector lose job slightly more than expected. Asian bourses took the cue from US performance and traded in positive region for the day but most pared gain from their day high value as investors chose to take profit and stay cautious ahead of the US unemployment data this Friday. Nikkei closed +1.52%, SSE +1.25% and HSI +1.19%. STI opened above 3,000 level but could not hold on that that support and closed just +3.83 points. A negative DJ future coupling with flattish opening from European bourses caused STI to pare gain on close. Total volume was thin indicating most people still stay sideline.
