FTSE STI closed 3,495.09, down 20.76 points or -0.59% with a total volume of 1.71b and a total value of S$1.37b. Total number of advance vs decline was 182 vs 268. Of the 30 component index stocks, xx closed positive, xx unchanged and xx in the red. The top 5 gainer component stocks were :-
1. DBS +0.100
2. SIA +0.080
3. Capitaland +0.030
4. Noble +0.015
5. SGX +0.010
5. SIA Engg +0.010
5. SPH +0.010
5. Wilmar +0.010
The top 5 loser component stocks were :-
1. Jardine C&C -1.160
2. JSH USD -0.510
3. JMH USD -0.320
4. Kep Corp -0.230
5. Sembcorp -0.120
US markets fell at least 0.2% yesterday and Asian bourses were mostly in the red with Nikkei +0.38%, SSE -1.13% and HSI +0.03%. STI fell 0.59% in those typical thin volume and value day with 8 of the 30 index stocks managed to register gain.
US markets were positive on open but fell into negative region during mid-day with tech stocks suffered the most in selling off. Profit taking and cautious ahead of US Fed FOMC meeting were most likely to be the reason for the drop. With the weak lead, Asian markets were mixed with mostly in the red due to profit taking. One economic data for the day was Japan Retail Sales plunged 9.7% in March well below expectation. Investors in general are awaiting for the outcome of US Fed FOMC meeting to decide when it will hike rate and also on the Greece issue with the latest being Greek PM hopes that a deal with the lenders by May 9 to avoid default and possibility of euro exit.
Blue chips and index stocks went XD coupled with weak sentiment sent STI in the red and closed below the 3,500 level. Short-term wise, STI is seen to be negatively biased and even if outcome of the US Fed FOMC meeting is a positive one, the upside will be pretty much capped.
