Selling continues to be flat

BUYING fell while selling among directors was flat for the second straight week, based on Singapore Exchange April 7-11 filings. Twelve companies recorded 20 purchases worth $6.4 million versus four firms with nine disposals worth $940,000. The number of companies and trades on the buying side were down from the previous week's 15 firms and 29 purchases. The buy value, however, was slightly up at $6.2 million. The sales, on the other hand, were not far off from the previous week's four companies, 10 disposals and $700,000.

Buyback activity was flat with five companies posting 18 repurchases worth $19.3 million. The number of firms and trades were consistent with the previous week's six firms and 18 repurchases. The value, however, was sharply down from the previous week's turnover of $29.1 million.

There were several significant corporate shareholder trades last week with buybacks in Hotung Investment, insider buys in Megachem and Tye Soon and a director sale in International Healthway Corp. On the funds' side, Keppel Corp, Broadway Industrial and Mapletree Greater China Commercial Trust made purchases.