No pre-CNY festivities for STI

SINGAPORE stocks headed south on Friday, without any catalysts to inspire - Chinese manufacturing data disappointed while US-China trade talks are slated to wear on.

The Straits Times Index saw Thursday's gains reversed and ended Friday 0.05 per cent or 1.49 points lower, at 3,188.68. Decliners outweighed advancers 201 to 171, as 1.21 billion shares worth S$954.13 million changed hands.

A positive spark from the US Fed late in the week failed to lift the local bourse, which mostly saw losses during the week. With that, the benchmark STI ended down…