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Singapore share prices closed 0.23 per cent lower on Tuesday, weighed down by lingering concerns about the slowing US economy, dealers said.
The main Straits Times Index closed 6.87 points lower at 2,919.68.
Investors were spooked by the latest data from the United States showing that a key index for manufacturing activity in the world?s biggest economy came in at 48.3 points for February, its lowest level in nearly five years.
In addition, the US Commerce Department reported that construction spending in January fell by 1.7 per cent, the steepest fall in 14 years.
The main Straits Times Index fell 6.87 points to 2,919.68 on volume of 1.30 billion shares worth 1.54 billion.
Decliners led rising issues 359 to 259 with 1,068 issues unchanged.
'Nobody really knows whether we've seen most of the bad news,' said Najeeb Jarhom, head of research for retail investors at AmFraser Securities.
Banking shares were mixed, with DBS Group gaining 18 cents to 17.20 dollars, United Overseas Bank up 10 cents to 17.86 dollars and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp down a cent at 7.49 dollars.
Property heavyweights retreated, with CapitaLand down a cent at 6.06 dollars, Keppel Land falling six cents at 5.53 dollars and City Developments slipping two cents to 11.22 dollars.
Among blue chips, Singapore Airlines dipped four cents to 15.00 dollars and bourse operator Singapore Exchanged dropped 24 cents to 7.81 dollars.
Singapore Telecommunications finished two cents higher at 3.72 dollars. -- AFP
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