FTSE STI closed 3,345.91, up 13.40 points or +0.40% with a total volume of 620M and a total value of S$476M. Total number of advance vs decline was 210 vs 109. Of the 30 component index stocks, 23 closed positive, 4 unchanged and 3 in the red. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. SIA Engg +0.180
2. DBS +0.120
3. CityDev +0.110
4. KepCorp +0.110
5. SembCorp +0.070
The 3 loser component stocks were :-
1. JSH 500USD -0.170
2. UOB -0.120
3. JMH 400USD -0.050
US markets closed mostly positive yesterday and Asian bourses were also mostly positive for the day. Nikkei +1.24%, SSE -1.94% and HSI +0.07%. STI rose 0.40% in typical daily volume and value for half-day trading with xx of the 30 index stocks posted gain.
Both DJ and S&P500 ended the day with another record high after US 3Q GDP number came in at +5% better than expected but Durable Goods Order for last month fell below expectation. Asian bourses mostly ended positive for the day ahead of tomorrow Christmas holiday with China only one ended the day with almost 2% drop due to profit taking.
STI rose 0.4% in half-day trading as the festive season boosted some positive sentiment. While there were some profit taking, some were also buying in in anticipation of next week end of the year rally. Oil-related stocks also rebounded from yesterday selling off with oil price rebounded too. Market sentiment is now biased towards the upside for the time being for end of the year rally and the Capricorn effect
