Singapore stocks end down 0.09 pct

Singapore shares closed 0.09 percent lower on Friday, as investors took profit after the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to extend its bond-buying program.

ECB prolonged its bond-buying program till December 2017 but surprised markets by reducing its bond-buying from 80 billion Euros to 60 billion Euros. ECB chairman Mario Draghi also signaled that Euro-zone can count on the central bank's continued support when needed.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index fell 2.73 points to 2,956.13 points. Trading volume was 1.81 billion shares worth 1.14 billion Singapore dollars. Both advancers and decliners were same at 203, while 696 stocks did not move.

Singapore Exchange Limited rose 0.7 percent to 7.45 Singapore dollars. The bourse operator said total securities market turnover value grew 51 percent in November to 29.3 billion Singapore dollars, compared to the same month last year.

Its turnover value increased 49 percent compared to October, while securities daily average value also rose 37 percent on-year in November to 1.3 billion Singapore dollars. In the derivatives market, its total volume increased 22 percent on-year to 16.6 million, an increase of 43 percent compared to October.

Wilmar International fell 1.4 percent to 3.61 Singapore dollars. It has confirmed reports that its South African subsidiary Wilmar Continental Edible Oils and Fats was raided by the Competition Commission of South Africa.

Wilmar expressed its disappointment at the raid but declined to comment on any matters that are part of the on-going investigation in its statement.

Among top gainers, Jardine Matheson rose 2.8 percent to 55 U.S. dollars, whereas DBS Group Holdings became one of the top losers by falling 1.7 percent to 17.83 Singapore dollars. (1 U.S. dollar equals to 0.942 Euros and 1.42 Singapore dollars) Endit