THE Straits Times Index fell 7.67 points or 0.30 per cent to 2,542.37 in a third straight day of losses, as punters waded cautiously into the first-quarter earnings season, even after oil markets rebounded from a two-decade low.
About 2.2 billion securities worth S$1.23 billion were traded. Losers outnumbered gainers 217 to 190. Clearbridge Health was the top traded stock, falling S$0.03 or 11.77 per cent to S$0.225 on volume of 295.7 million, reversing its gains of S$0.097 or 61.39 per cent on Wednesday. ESR Reit was the second most active counter, falling S$0.025 or 6.94 per cent to S$0.335 on volume of 107.5 million after it joined Mapletree Commercial Trust and Frasers Centrepoint Trust in slashing dividends.
Jardine Cycle & Carriage was the top gainer, rising 3.05 per cent to S$20.96. Jardine Matheson was the top loser, falling 0.95 per cent to US$49.94.