SINGAPORE, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Singapore shares closed 0.57 percent lower on Thursday, weighed by fresh data signaling a further loss of momentum in China's economy.
The China flash HSBC manufacturing purchasing managers' index published on Thursday showed factory output contracted in the world's second-biggest economy for the first time in six months. The index came in at 50.0 in November, down from 50.4 in October.
Meanwhile, the minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve's last policy meeting showed its members were relatively unconcerned about the dollar's strength. The minutes also showed the central bank was still on track to raise interest rates next year.
The benchmark Straits Times Index shed 18.96 points to close at 3,315.60 points. Trading volume was 1.12 billion shares worth 1.04 billion Singapore dollars. Decliners outnumbered advancers 263 to 147, while 530 stocks closed unchanged.
Phillip Securities Research said the downside supports for the Straits Times Index are at 3,200 points, 3,150 points and 3,060 points.
Sarine Technologies Limited inched up 0.7 percent to 2.95 Singapore dollars. It announced the opening of a service center for Sarine LoupeTM diamond imaging at its offices in New York's Diamond District. The service center provides a comprehensive imaging solution for the diamond trade, based on Sarine's patented groundbreaking technology.
Olam International dropped 0.9 percent to 2.18 Singapore dollars. It announced that it has secured revolving credit and term loan facilities aggregating 2,475 million U.S. dollars. The facilities consist of three equal tranches of 825 million U.S. dollars each, a 364-day revolving credit facility, a 2-year revolving credit facility and a 3-year term loan.
Among the top gainers, Jardine Matheson rose 0.8 percent to 61. 22 U.S. dollars, whereas Jardine Cycle and Carriage became one of the top losers by falling 1.5 percent to 40.97 Singapore dollars. (1 U.S. dollar equals to 1.30 Singapore dollars)
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