Singapore shares closed lower yesterday with the blue-chip Straits Times Index down 2.80 points to 3,016.94. Volume was 2.27 billion shares worth $2.14 billion. Losers led gainers 318 to 237.

US stocks posted their sixth straight day of gains last night as an encouraging profit forecast from United Parcel Service lifted transportation shares, though concerns about a rise in weekly jobless claims limited the market’s advance. Here are some stocks to watch says The Edge Singapore:

Singapore Exchange, the operator of the city-state’s securities and derivatives markets, said third-quarter profit rose 35% as trading volumes rebounded. Net income increased to $74.6 million, or 6.97 cents a share, in the three months ended in March, from $55.3 million, or 5.16 cents, a year earlier. Operating revenue climbed 28% to $153.3 million.

CapitaCommercial Trust (CCT) said it achieved a distributable income of $54.3 million for the three months ended 31 March 2010 (1Q 2010). This is a year-on-year increase of 19.7% from 1Q 2009. Distribution per unit (DPU) is 1.93 cents, a year-on-year increase of 19.1% from the 1.621 cents achieved in 1Q 2009. Gross revenue registered a year-on-year (1Q 2010 versus 1Q 2009) increase of 4.5% to $101.8 million while net property income increased year-on-year by 11.0% to $77.6 million.

Tiong Seng Holdings, the construction company which raised $52.9 million from its initial share offering, will start trading today.

Keppel FELS, a unit of Keppel Corp., has delivered the third DSSTM 21 deepwater semisubmersible (semi) drilling rig to Maersk Drilling (Maersk) 43 days ahead of schedule and with a perfect safety record, garnering a bonus of US$400,000 ($549,640).

Sembcorp Marine said that it signed a letter of intent with Seadrill to negotiate the sale of a harsh environment CJ70 jackup drilling rig. The rig was originally contracted for construction for Petroprod, which had in 2009 gone into liquidation.

China Environment said its unit, Fujian Dongyuan Environmental Protection Co., has secured three contracts amounting to RMB76.2 million ($15.3 million). The contracts were secured through the latter's main contractor, Shanxi Province Electric Company Electric Environmental Equipment Main Factory.

China Energy has signed a long-term supply agreement with Jiutai Inner Mongolia Co. which allows the group to buy methanol from the latter at a 7% discount to the prevailing market price.