Banks, Jardine help drive STI up 2.2% for the week

THE banking sector was once again the focal point of the trading week, rising initially because of expectations of a December US rate hike, then falling sharply on Tuesday and Wednesday when traders switched to China bank trading in Hong Kong following a reserve requirement rate (RRR) cut by China's central bank.

In the final two days of the week, traders rediscovered their appetite for local banks, possibly aided by generous amounts of short-covering. Throughout the five days, the fate of the Straits Times Index was largely determined by the banks and Jardine stock…