Roundup: Singapore stocks end down 0.24 pct

Singapore shares closed 0.24 percent lower on Thursday, as most investors were sidelined ahead of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.

U.S. markets will be closed on Thursday and most of Friday afternoon. Better-than-forecast U.S. durable goods data and jobless claims reinforced views that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next month for the first time in nearly a decade.

UOB Kay Hian Research said the Straits Times Index looks stuck within a narrow range for at least the first half of 2016, with stocks looking inexpensive but justifiably so given slow growth and weak earnings momentum. It forecast an average of 8 percent earnings-per-share growth for Singapore - listed companies in 2016.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index inched down 6.89 points to 2,884.69 points. Trading volume was 977 million shares worth 1.01 billion Singapore dollars. Advancers outnumbered decliners 222 to 163, while 548 stocks did not move.

Cordlife Group rose 1.9 percent to 1.345 Singapore dollars. The provider of cord blood and cord lining banking services said it was discussions with various parties on opportunities relating to acquisitions, divestments and joint ventures. The company was responding to query from Singapore Exchange on unusual trading activity surrounding its shares.

Among the top gainers, Jardine Cycle and Carriage rose 1.6 percent to 32.60 Singapore dollars, whereas Jardine Matheson became one of the top losers by falling 1.3 percent to 49.27 U.S. dollars. (1 U.S. dollar equals to 1.41 Singapore dollars) Enditem