Low activity with busy reporting season on

BUYING plunged while selling among directors was flat, based on filings on Singapore Exchange in the last week of January. A paltry eight companies recorded 21 purchases worth S$4.6 million versus two firms with seven disposals worth S$8.5 million. The buy figures were sharply down from the previous week's 16 companies, 45 purchases and S$12.5 million. Sales were consistent with the previous week's low totals of five firms, seven disposals and S$5.8 million.

Aside from directors, buyback activity fell sharply with five firms posting 17 repurchases worth S$11 million, sharply down from the previous week's 16 companies, 58 trades and S$24.4 million.

The fall in director and buyback activities was not surprising as it is the busy reporting season from February to April. Directors and listed firms are prohibited from trading in their companies' shares in the one month prior to the announcement of results.