FTSE STI closed 3,323.65, up 7.22 point or +0.22% with a total volume of 1.68b and a total value of S$936M. Total number of advance vs decline was 210 vs 196. Of the 30 component index stocks, 17 closed positive, 4 unchanged and 9 in the red. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. CityDev +0.180
2. UOB +0.170
3. SIA +0.160
4. DBS +0.070
5. OCBC +0.070
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. JMH 400USD -0.710
2. JSH 500USD -0.490
3. Capitaland -0.040
4. ST Engg -0.030
5. SingTel -0.020
5. SembCorp -0.020
5. Kep Corp -0.020
5. HongkongLand USD -0.020
US markets closed higher with at least 0.4% gain and Nasdaq hitting 14 years high. Asian bourses opened positive but closed mixed with Nikkei +0.03%, SSE -0.23% and HSI +0.15%. STI rose 0.22% in thin volume and value with 17 of the 30 index stocks posted gain.
US CPI came in at +0.1% in July in line with expectation which probably eased concern that US Fed will raise interest rate sooner due to rising inflation. That helped US markets to advance and Nasdaq hitting 14 years high. Asian bourses taking the cue were positive on open but closed mixed as investors awaiting for tonight US Fed minutes for last month FOMC meeting and tomorrow China HSBC flash PMI for August. Though the US Fed minutes might shed some light on interest rate but the main focus should be on this Friday Jackson Hole meeting.
STI rose 0.22% but with thin volume and value. Main activity was on the broader market, those penny, small and mid cap stocks which probably attracting punters play. While market sentiment is positive at the moment, any negative news or events can cause some panic selling to occur.
