STI extends slide in cautious environment

AMID a cautious trading environment, Singapore stocks continued their downward slide on Wednesday, with the Straits Times Index (STI) losing 0.68 per cent or 21.6 points to close at 3,171.11.

Investors are finding more reasons for gloom than cheer, with the International Monetary Fund's downgrade of its global growth outlook, Brexit-related uncertainty and the continued US government shutdown.

Hopes for progress in US-China trade relations were also dimmed by reports that Washington had rejected Beijing's offer to hold prep…