1. KepCorp +0.120
2. DBS +0.100
3. NobleGrp +0.030
4. ComfortDelGro +0.010
5. StarHub +0.010
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. JMH 400US$ -0.960
2. JSH 500US$ -0.360
3. Jardine C&C -0.220
4. UOB -0.140
5. F&N -0.130
US markets closed positive last Friday after a better than expected retail sales data offsetting Japan's earthquake and tsunami. As the effect of tsunami did little harm to countries at the pacific oceans region, investors eased off slightly. Oil price also pulled back to US$101 reducing the risk of inflation faced with rising oil price. Middle east unrest still ongoing, the reason for the oil price retreat was due to the fact that the earthquake & tsunami has reduced the demand of oil from Japan. Asian bourses except Japan were largely muted to earthquake & tsunami impact. Nikkei as expected fell 6.18%, SSE +0.13% and HSI +0.41%. STI was unable to swing back to positive region despite both HSI and SSE managed to do so in a very thin volume trading day as investors were cautious. The tsunami has created a fear of nuclear radiation effect as the nuclear plants were facing meltdown possibility. Coupling with European markets opening in the red and DJ future also in the red, investors mostly stay sideline. The few companies ( GLP, Mapletreelog, etc ) which have properties in Japan reported minimal damage due to the earthquake and tsunami. Investors are now monitoring the nuclear situation in Japan while most believe the consequences caused by the earthquake & tsunami has limited impact on global economy recovery.
