Singapore shares close lower on Wednesday

LOCAL stocks ended 0.54 per cent lower on Wednesday, with the benchmark Straits Times Index retreating 16.13 points to 2,981.59 after weak economic data from China.

The blue-chip index was weighed down by a retreat in banks and property counters.

About 1.22 billion shares worth S$986.6 million changed hands, which worked out to an average unit price of S$0.81 per share.

The most actively traded stock was International Healthway Corp, which rose 2.17 per cent or S$0.002 to S$0.094 with 53.3 million shares changing hands. Other actives included Noble Group, Ezra Holdings and QT Vascular.

Losers outnumbered gainers 301 to 137.