Budget provides slight reprieve but virus fears linger

Published Sun, Feb 23, 2020 · 09:50 PM

LAST Friday, Singapore's Straits Times Index fell 17.65 points or 0.55 per cent to close at 3,181.03. On the week, the blue-chip index slipped 39 points or 1.2 per cent from 3,220.03.

The market has been absorbing Budget-related measures, with several of them expected to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on locally-listed companies.

But analysts have pointed out that the relief measures may not be sufficient to cushion the fallout if the outbreak drags on.

The S$6.4 billion in virus support - including S$4 billion for firms, S$1.6 billion for households, and S$800 million to frontline agencies came as a much-needed reprieve for sectors including tourism, aviation, retail,…