STI pulls back after hitting a 10-year high

TRADERS here beat a cautious retreat on Wednesday amid the release of modest export figures - just one day after local equities climbed back to pre-global financial crisis levels.

The benchmark Straits Times Index slipped by 8.3 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 3,541.91, after clawing its way back from an intra-day low of 3,534.89 in the afternoon.

The index's decline was no thanks to a slide on all three local banks.