Roundup: Singapore stocks end down 0.55 pct

Singapore shares closed 0.55 percent lower on Thursday, as investors turned cautious after U.S. Federal Reserve raised possibility of rate lift-off in December.

U.S. stocks fell after Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen hinted that the central bank is closer to raising interest rates and October ADP employment number for the private sector came in a little better than market expectation.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index fell 16.83 points to 3,023,65 points. Trading volume was 1.2 billion shares worth 949 million Singapore dollars. Decliners outnumbered advancers 225 to 169, while 539 stocks did not move.

Hyflux Limited closed flat at 67.5 Singapore cents. The water treatment company reported a 43.3 percent decline in third-quarter earnings to 6.4 million Singapore dollars from a year ago, although its quarterly revenue increased 32 percent to 133.5 million Singapore dollars.

Meanwhile, it has signed an agreement to acquire a 30 percent stake in consumer water technology company, Kaqun Europe, for 8 million U.S. dollars. Kaqun Europe was launched in 2002 and pioneered a type of water with beneficial properties that promote overall wellbeing.

Among the top gainers, Singapore Airlines rose 1.2 percent to 11.15 Singapore dollars, whereas Jardine Matheson became one of the top losers by falling 2.9 percent to 53.42 U.S. dollars. (1 U.S. dollar equals 1.41 Singapore dollars) Enditem