STI posts worst Asia finish on Friday

THE Straits Times Index (STI) ended Friday down 63.74 points or 2.6 per cent at 2,389.29 points, ending the week 5.5 per cent lower than where it started.

It was by far the worst performer among Asian markets, which mostly finished flat or saw slight dips. Sentiments were hit by news that Singapore will be curtailing a wide swathe of businesses for a month to contain the Covid-19 spread.

The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index was flat, down 0.02 per cent or 0.25 point to close at 1,330.65 points. The Nikkei 225 Index added 0.01 per cent, while the Hang Seng Index declined 0.19 per cent.