Singapore shares hang on above 3,500 points as Venture nears dotcom high

SINGAPORE stocks ended 0.1 per cent lower on Wednesday, with the Straits Times Index dropping 4.2 points to 3,520.45.

About 1.85 billion shares worth S$1.13 billion in total changed hands, which worked out to an average unit price of S$0.61 per share.

The blue chip index was aided by a surge in Venture Corp shares, which were up 91 Singapore cents or 4.2 per cent to S$22.48. The contract manufacturer is now trading at a high not seen since March 2000.

The most actively traded counter was Artivision Tech, which rose S$0.002 to S$0.018 with 83.7 million shares changing hands. Other actives included Spackman and Allied Tech.

Losers outnumbered gainers 250 to 201, or about five down for every four up.