Singapore shares close 42 points lower

SHARES in the local bourse closed broadly lower, in line with steep falls across regional markets, with the key Straits Times Index ending the day lower by 42.38 points or 1.5 per cent at 2,708.85.

Markets were weighed down by fears over China's growth prospects and equity slump.

Some 1.8 billion shares worth S$1.05 billion were traded. Losers outpaced gainers with 342 counters down and 90 counters up.