STI slips 0.4% amid fears of US economy slowdown

Across the broader market, decliners edge out gainers 259 to 256 after 1.6 billion securities worth S$1.3 billion change hands

The Republic’s benchmark index closed lower on Thursday (Dec 4) as investors turned cautious after the US recorded an unexpected fall in private employment in November that signalled its economy might be slowing down.

The Straits Times Index (STI) was down 0.4 per cent or 19.38 points at 4,535.14, with only a fifth of the 30 index constituents finishing higher. DBS and UOB slid by S$0.22 or 0.4 per cent to S$54.21, and 0.3 per cent or S$0.09 to S$34.46, respectively. OCBC was flat at S$18.95.

The iEdge Singapore Next 50 Index rose marginally, by 0.1 per cent or 0.77 point to 1,448.29.

Across the broader market, decliners edged out gainers 259 to 256 after 1.6 billion securities valued at S$1.3 billion were transacted.

Tuan Sing was up 1.6 per cent or S$0.005 at S$0.325, a day after it said it was set to proceed with the redevelopment of its flagship property in Melbourne, Australia, which houses the 550-room Grand Hyatt hotel, following the grant of a planning permit from the city council.

YHI International dropped 1.3 per cent or S$0.005 to a 52-week low of S$0.385, without making any market-sensitive announcements recently. It is a distributor of automotive and industrial products, and an original design manufacturer for wheels.

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CapAllianz was the most active stock, with a trading volume of 470.3 million shares – more than three times the 109.4 million shares transacted on Wednesday. Shares of the Catalist-listed investment holding firm, which owns a subsidiary that is engaged in software development and IT consulting, were unchanged at S$0.002.

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