Market Summary -- 18th Jan 11

FTSE STI closed 3,249.58, up 10.95 points or +0.34% with a total volume of 1.60b and a total value of S$1.24b. Total number of advance vs decline was 224 vs 211.  Of the 30 component index stocks, 18 closed positive, 7 closed negative and 5 remained unchanged.  The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-

1. Jardine C&C  +0.340

2. F&N  +0.220

3. HKLand US$  +0.160

4. DBS  +0.140

5. CityDev  +0.140

5. SembMar  +0.140

The top 5 loser component stocks were :-

1. JMH 400US$  -0.980

2. JSH 500US$  -0.700

3. SIA Engg  -0.020

4. OCBC  -0.020

5. Wilmar  -0.010

5. NobleGrp  -0.010

US markets were closed yesterday night and European markets were flattish.  Asian bourses were mixed initially but managed to close mostly positive.  Nikkei +0.15%, SSE +0.09% and HSI -0.01%.  STI swinging between positive and negative regions but managed to close positive after European markets and DJ future were trading in the positive region.  Investors will be looking at tonight how Apple stock reacted to the news of its CEO Steve Job is taking a MC for his illness.  Further more, investors will be looking at later this week when China releases its inflation and GDP figure.  SGX announced a 2Q net profit of 14% rise and also commence on continuous all day trading from 1st March 2011 onwards.