US rate hike, slowing growth hobbling STI

THE Straits Times Index (STI) fell continuously this week as worries mounted over the impact a December US interest rate hike would have on a slowing global economy.

In the session on Friday - incidentally, the 13th of the month - the STI shed 33.33 points or 1.1 per cent at 2,925.68; this brought the week's loss to 85 points or 2.8 per cent.

All throughout, liquidity was weak and largely focused on the 30 STI components.…