FTSE STI closed 3,205.28, up 13.10 points or +0.41% with a total volume of 1.40b and a total value of S$1.69b. Total number of advance vs decline was 253 vs 196. Of the 30 component index stocks, 18 closed positive, 7 closed negative and 5 remained unchanged. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. JMH 400US$ +0.440
2. CityDev +0.180
3. F&N +0.150
4. Wilmar +0.140
5. OCBC +0.080
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. SembCorp -0.090
2. UOB -0.080
3. SembMar -0.020
4. NOL -0.020
5. SingTel -0.010
5. ComfortDelGro -0.010
5. HKLand US$ -0.010
US markets were flat yesterday night despite economic data indicating US industrial sector still expanding. There was also SEC investigation on JP Morgan about the subprime mortgages issue which caused some selling off in the stock markets. In general investors were still cautious ahead of US mid-term election and Fed meeting on stimulus plan. Asian bourses were mixed for the day with Nikkei closed +0.06%, SSE -0.28% and HSI +0.08%. Part of the sentiment was also due to Australia central bank hike interest rate by 0.25%. STI however, did slightly better than other regional bourses with a gain of +0.41% to close above 3,200 level in a very thin volume trading day. Majority of the blue chips closed in the green as investors were anticipating any hot money that come from US Fed will flow into Asia.
