Singapore stocks lower on last trading day of the year; STI up 16.9% in 2024

SINGAPORE stocks fell on thin trading volumes on Tuesday (Jan 31) before investors usher in the New Year.

The local benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) was down 0.2 per cent or 8.13 points at 3,787.6 after trading ended early on New Year’s Eve. Across the broader market, gainers beat losers 184 to 175 after 553.9 million securities worth S$469.9 million changed hands.

On the STI, Singapore Exchange was the top gainer, rising 1.5 per cent or S$0.19 to S$12.74.

Wilmar International rose 0.3 per cent or S$0.01 to S$3.10, after it announced on Monday evening that it will acquire Indian conglomerate Adani Group’s remaining stake in Adani Wilmar at a price not exceeding 305 rupees (S$4.85) a share. Adani Wilmar is a consumer goods joint venture between both groups.

Meanwhile, Jardine Matheson Holdings was at the bottom of the pack, falling 2.1 per cent or US$0.86 to US$40.97.

Overnight, US markets were also in the red. The S&P 500 index fell 1.1 per cent, while the Nasdaq shed 1.2 per cent and the Dow Jones declined 1 per cent.

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Markets in the region, such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Jakarta were closed on Tuesday.

In 2024, the STI rose 16.9 per cent and had its best year since 2017.

The top three counters on the index were Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, DBS and Sats, which gained 100.7 per cent, 43.9 per cent and 32.4 per cent respectively.

On the other hand, Mapletree Logistics Trust, Genting Singapore and Frasers Logistics and Commercial Trust were at the bottom of the table and fell 27 per cent, 23.5 per cent and 23.5 per cent respectively.

In total, the STI had 11 gainers and 19 losers in 2024.