Buying flat, selling down, buybacks up

BUYING was flat while selling among directors fell, based on filings with Singapore Exchange in the holiday-shortened week of April 28 to May 2. Eight companies recorded 15 purchases worth $3.6 million versus one firm with one $1.08 million disposal.

On the buying side, the numbers were down from the previous week's 12 firms and 23 purchases. The buy value, however, was up sharply from $1.43 million previously. On the selling side, the numbers were down from two firms and six disposals previously but the sell value was up from $940,000.

Buyback activity rose with three companies posting five repurchases worth $3.2 million. The numbers were up from two firms and $2.18 million previously. Turnover increased because OCBC Bank resumed buying back after releasing first-quarter results.