Singapore’s Straits Times Index lost 0.5% to 2,726.24 at the close. Three stocks dropped for every two that rose on the 30-member gauge. The following shares were among the most active in the market. 

 

Bulk carriers: The Baltic Dry Index, which measures the cost of shipping commodities, rose 3.7% to 3,748 in London yesterday, its highest since June 30. The gauge has risen 26% in the past 10 days.

 

Cosco Corp. Singapore (COS SP), a China-based shipbuilder that also operates bulk carriers, gained 2.8% to $1.11. Mercator Lines Singapore (MRLN SP), an Indian bulk carrier, climbed 3.3% to 31.5 cents. STX Pan Ocean Co. (STX SP), South Korea’s biggest bulk carrier, advanced 4.2% to $13.88.

 

China Eratat Sports Fashion (CERAT SP), a maker of athletic shoes and apparel, tumbled 8% to 23 cents. The company said profit before tax declined 21% from a year earlier to 29.4 million yuan ($6 million).

 

MFS Technology (MFS SP), the maker of flexible circuit boards used in mobile phone, slipped 4.1% to 23.5 cents. The company said it had a full-year loss of $12.7 million, compared with a loss of $10.1 million a year ago.

 

SBS Transit (SBUS SP), Singapore’s biggest bus operator, gained 1.2% to $1.75. The company said third- quarter profit increased 27% from a year earlier to $10.6 million.

 

Venture Corp. (VMS SP), Singapore’s biggest publicly traded electronics manufacturing services provider, dropped 4.4% to $8.90. The company was downgraded to “hold” from “buy” at OCBC Investment Research and cut to “underperform” from “neutral” by CIMB-GK Securities Pte Venture Corp. said third-quarter profit fell 4.7% to $38.2 million.

 

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings (YZJ SP), a China- based shipbuilder, jumped 6.1% to $1.05. The stock was added to the MSCI Singapore Index.