Buybacks and director buys up on the week

THE five trading sessions spanning Aug 11 to Aug 17 saw the Straits Times Index (STI) decline by 1.6 per cent, bringing its dividend-inclusive return for the 2017 year through to Aug 17 to 16.7 per cent, compared to an average 11 per cent return for the benchmarks of Japan, Hong Kong and Australia.

Over those five sessions, 55 stocks lodged just over 100 changes in director interests and/or substantial shareholders. The ratio of filed director acquisitions to disposals was 15 to 1, while there was a similar number of acquisitions and disposals filed for substantial shareholders.

As many as 20 stocks conducted share buybacks over the five sessions with a total consideration of S$24.4 million, more than double the buyback consideration of S$10.1 million during the four preceding sessions.