FTSE STI closed 3,426.22, up 7.05 points or +0.21% with a total volume of 1.03b and a total value of S$1.21b. Total number of advance vs decline was 242 vs 183. Of the 30 component index stocks, 17 closed positive, 4 unchanged and 9 in the red. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. Jardine C&C +0.800
2. UOB +0.170
3. JSH USD +0.130
4. Kep Corp +0.120
5. SIA +0.120
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. OCBC -0.140
2. CityDev -0.090
3. DBS -0.070
4. ComfortDelGro -0.050
5. Olam -0.030
US markets closed positive with a gain of at least 0.6% and Asian bourses were mostly positive for the day with Nikkei -0.37%, SSE +0.98% and HSI +1.07%. STI was flat in typical daily volume and value with 17 of the 30 index stocks posted gain.
US Retail Sales fell below expectation for last month but that failed to prevent another positive closing for US markets with both DJ and S&P500 were within touching distance of recent record high. Russia and Ukraine managed to agree on ceasefire deal and rebound of oil price due to oil producers further reducing spending helped US markets offset the weak retail sales and Greece's worries. For Asian markets, most of them taking the cue from US markets were able to post positive closing with Nikkei dragged down by the strengthening of Yen. Next up will be next week when EU will be meeting with Greece again to try to strike a deal on the bailout before end of the month deadline. While the uncertainties on Greece have taken some pressure on global markets but the possibilities of Greece and EU not agreeing on any deal will be very small. No deal would mean an exit for Greece from euro and in the longer term it might be good for both Greece and euro but if they can prevent any short-term damage, see no point they will give up the chance for it. The question is how much both parties willing to compromise.
STI was practically flat for the day due to the mix performance of the blue chips. The mix performance should be due to profit taking and possible rotation of funds from probably one sector to another or one stock to another. For broader market, sentiment remained range bound. Could be seeing another muted or slightly biased towards downside performance next week as traders and short-term investors taking profit, staying sideline ahead of CNY as most will not want to risk taking up positions over the long holiday with Greece's outcome remain uncertain.
Hot topics for Singapore this week and probably next week too.
机关枪，手榴弹，飞机，坦克和大炮都出了为什么白营还攻不下蓝营？
完了白营大势已去。
