The Straits Times Index dropped 0.6% to 2,720.87 at the close, said Bloomberg. Almost two stocks declined for each that rose on the 30-member gauge.

Stocks on the measure trade at 14.6 times estimated earnings, compared with about 10 times at the start of 2009, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The following shares were among the most active in the market.

Palm oil suppliers: Crude palm oil for April delivery dropped as much as 0.7% in Kuala Lumpur today, extending its decline for a second day. Golden Agri-Resources (GGR SP), the world’s second-biggest palm oil producer, slipped 1.9% to 50.5 cents. Indofood Agri Resources (IFAR SP), the palm oil unit of Indonesia’s biggest noodle maker, dipped 1% to $1.98. Wilmar International (WIL SP), the world’s biggest palm oil trader, lost 0.2% to $6.50.

CapitaRetail China Trust (CRCT SP), a China-based shopping mall operator part-owned by CapitaLand (CAPL SP), slid 0.8% to $1.24. Daiwa Institute of Research downgraded the stock to “underperform” from “outperform”.

CWT (CWT SP), a logistics company, added 0.5% to 93.5 cents. Kim Eng Holdings maintained its “buy” rating and raised its share-price forecast to $1.23 from $1.08.

 

Parkway Holdings (PWAY SP), Singapore’s biggest hospital operator, gained 1.9% to $2.69. Macquarie Group upgraded the stock to “outperform” from “neutral”.

 

Starhill Global REIT (SGREIT SP), the Singapore-based shopping mall operator part-owned by Malaysia’s YTL Corp., climbed 2.8% to 54.5 cents. Daiwa Institute of Research upgraded the stock to “outperform” from “hold”.