Venture joins STI Reserve List; CEO Wong Ngit Liong ups stake to 7.1%

THE five trading sessions spanning Sept 8-14 saw the Straits Times Index (STI) marginally decline, by 0.2 per cent. This brought its dividend-inclusive return for 2017 (through to Sept 14) to 15.1 per cent, compared to an average 11.1 per cent return for the benchmarks of Japan, Hong Kong and Australia.

Over those four sessions, 50 SGX primary listed stocks lodged 135 changes in director interests and/or substantial shareholders. The ratio of filed company director acquisitions to disposals was more than five to one, with the ratio for acquisitions to disposals filed for substantial shareholders of companies almost two to one.

There were 10 stocks that conducted share buybacks over the five sessions with a total consideration of S$5.2 million, down from S$8.8 million over the four preceding sessions. Duty Free International (DFI) bought back just over one million shares. From its approved mandate date on June 29, DFI has purchased a total of 8.54 million shares.