Singapore shares reverse early gains, slipping into negative territory as investors remain unwilling to make big bets ahead of closely watched US non-farm payrolls data tomorrow.

The STI is down 0.3% at 2,775.31 at midday with vs morning high of 2,792.64 (+0.4%); support tipped at Feb 19 low of 2,727.

“Many investors are still licking their wounds from the recent pullback and so they are not keen to take any chances right now,” a trader at local house tells Dow Jones Newswires.

Broad market volume stays very thin with 593 million shares traded vs 710 million in yesterday’s morning session; with losers outnumbering gainers roughly 2 to 1.

Genting Singapore (G13.SG) was the biggest blue-chip decliner, down 2.3% at new 2010 low of 85 cents with worries over whether new casino will meet hype.

Wilmar International (F34.SG) is down 1.9% at $6.54 as stock continues to retreat on profit-taking after its post-results rally.