STI adds 3 points in mostly sideways trading

SINGAPORE equities mostly traded sideways as investors waited for more clarity ahead of the United States' November consumer price index (CPI), as well as the US Federal Reserve statement.

But last-minute buying in the last half hour sent the benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) on Wednesday 3.23 points or 0.09 per cent higher to 3,468.77, after the index dipped to an intraday low of 3,451.

The gains clocked in banking, real estate and consumer staples stocks helped the index cross over to positive territory.