STI falls 0.9% amid weak Dow futures

THE Straits Times Index on Tuesday dropped 23.18 points, or 0.9 per cent, to 2,579.23 in tandem with a weak session for the Dow futures that indicated Wall Street might come under pressure. Turnover amounted to 669 million units worth S$993 million, down from Monday's S$1.07 billion and excluding warrants, there were 167 rises versus 210 falls.

Over in North Asia, the Shanghai Composite underwent its usual volatile session when it rebounded 2.3 per cent, though in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index finished 0.8 per cent weaker.

Wall Street on Monday underwent an uncertain session as oil prices weakened, though comments from US Federal Reserve vice-chairman Stanley Fischer that the Fed has no idea what it will do at its next interest rate meeting probably also played a part.