Plunge in buyback activity

THE buying was flat while the selling was low among directors for the fourth straight week, according to Singapore Exchange filings during the holiday-shortened Dec 23-27 week. A total of 11 companies recorded 23 purchases worth $2.35 million, versus two firms with three disposals worth $0.41 million. The number of firms and value were not far off from the previous week's five-day totals of 14 companies and $2.47 million, though the number of trades was sharply down from the previous week's 41 acquisitions. Sales were consistent with the previous week's two firms, six disposals and $0.29 million.

Meanwhile, buyback activity plunged with only nine companies that posted 18 repurchases worth $1.64 mill…