Index loses grip on early gains

THE Straits Times Index (STI) on Thursday fell 4.84 points to end at 3,345 in overall weak trading that saw the whole market record 140 rises versus 298 falls, excluding warrants. Turnover was better than average at 1.7 billion units worth S$1.6 billion. The fall increased the index's loss for the year to 20 points or 0.6 per cent.

It was possible that Wall Street's overni…