Roundup: Singapore stocks end down 0.1 pct

Singapore shares closed 0.1 percent lower on Thursday, as Athens refused to soften its stance on bailout terms with its creditors.

U.S. stocks trimmed intraday gains overnight after Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras urged Greeks on Wednesday to reject an international bailout deal, souring hopes of any breakthrough. Tsipras has called a referendum on Sunday that could determine his country's future in Europe.

Greece will have to repay the European Central Bank (ECB) 3.5 billion euros on July 20. If this payment is missed, the ECB will most likely stop providing liquidity to Greek banks, which would have a more dramatic impact than the latest default on International Monetary Fund's loan payment.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index fell 3.30 points to 3, 327.84 points. Trading volume was 907 million shares worth 912 million Singapore dollars. Decliners outnumbered advancers 221 to 208, while 533 stocks did not move.

Ascott Residence Trust advanced 0.8 percent to 1.30 Singapore dollars. It is expanding its footprint to the United States by acquiring the 411-key Element New York Times Square West hotel located in Midtown Manhattan for 163.5 million U.S. dollars. The accretive acquisition is expected to increase Ascott Residence Trust's distribution income in financial year 2014 by 0.8 million U.S. dollars, translating to a rise in distribution per unit from 8.44 Singapore cents to 8.51 Singapore cents.

Figtree Holdings rose 2.1 percent to 14.4 Singapore cents. It has secured a 65 million Singapore dollar contract to design and build a state-of-the-art logistics hub in Singapore. With this contract, its design and build order book will be increased to approximately 142 million Singapore dollars.

Among top gainers, Jardine Strategic rose 1.7 percent to 31.60 U.S. dollars, while Jardine Matheson became one of the top losers by falling 0.2 percent to 56.57 U.S. dollars. (1 U.S. dollar equals to 0.904 euros and 1.35 Singapore dollars) Endi