Buying remains flat; selling rebounds

BUYING was flat for the third straight week while selling among directors rebounded based on filings on Singapore Exchange in the first week of December. Buyers outweighed sellers with 11 companies that recorded 27 purchases worth $3.35 million versus three firms with six disposals worth $0.62 million. The number of companies on the buying side was down from the previous week's 15 firms while the number of trades and value were up from the previous week's 24 purchases worth $2.14 million. The sales, on the other hand, were sharply up from the previous week's one firm, two disposals, and $0.24 million.

Meanwhile, buyback activity was high for the third straight week with 10 firms that posted 34 repurchases worth $4.53 million. The number of companies and value were consistent with the previous week's nine firms and $4.66 million. The number of repurchases, however, was sharply up from the previous week's 27 transactions.

There were several significant corporate shareholder trades last week. Chosen Holdings bought back for the first time since listing in 1999. On the directors' side, there were purchases by high-level board members in Gaylin Holdings, Hartawan Holdings, and Auric Pacific Group. Meanwhile, a director of Singapore Windsor Holdings bought shares for the first time since listing. The trade was surprising as the purchase was made after the stock rose by 36 per cent.