Roundup: Singapore stocks end down 0.48 pct

Singapore shares closed 0.48 percent lower on Monday, as upbeat U.S. jobs data triggered some profit-taking in Singapore market.

U.S. non-farm payrolls grew by 242,000 jobs last month, beating market forecasts for 190,000 new jobs, while the participation rate rose for three months in a row.

On the other hand, average U.S. hourly wages unexpectedly dipped by 0.1 percent after a surprisingly strong 0.5 percent increase in January. As there is no sign of inflation in wages despite a tightening in job markets, the U.S. Federal Reserve may wait longer before raising rates.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index dropped 13.49 points to 2,823.51 points. Trading volume was 2.79 billion shares worth 1.54 billion Singapore dollars. Advancers outnumbered decliners 268 to 168, while 487 stocks did not move.

Singapore Exchange fell 0.3 percent to 7.62 Singapore dollars. The bourse operator said the total securities market turnover value rose 4 percent month on month and 14 percent year over year to 24.1 billion Singapore dollars in February. There were 19 trading days during the month, compared with 20 trading days in January 2016 and 18 trading days in February 2015.

The securities daily average value rose 10 percent month on month and 8 percent on-year to 1.3 billion Singapore dollars, while the market turnover value of exchange traded funds fell 24 percent month over month and rose 7 percent on-year to 209 million Singapore dollars.

There were 17 new bond listings in February, which raised 3.7 billion Singapore dollars, and the total market capitalization value of the 771 listed securities was 872 billion Singapore dollars at end February.

Among top gainers, City Development rose 1.3 percent to 7.70 Singapore dollars, while Jardine Matheson became one of the top losers by falling 3.7 percent to 54.40 U.S. dollars. (1 U.S. dollar equals 1.38 Singapore dollars) Endit