Bargain hunting helping Singapore shares pare losses. STI off 0.8% at 2,807.32 vs low of 2,770.12, says Dow Jones.

“The ability to close above 2,806 is crucial. If it doesn’t, then it is likely that 2,900 stays as resistance,” says DBS Vickers.

Market breadth narrower at 4 decliners for every gainer vs 9 for 1 in early trade.

Still, thin volume suggests investors remain cautious, with even defensive names down.

ComfortDelgro (C52.SG) off 2.7% at $1.45, Singapore Press Holdings (T39.SG) off 0.8% at $3.79, Starhub (CC3.SG) off 1.8% at $2.25. Some lower liners, however, bucking decline.

China Fishery (B0Z.SG) +3.3% at $1.89 as fishing group ropes in private equity giant Carlyle Group as substantial shareholder; Biosensors (B20.SG) +1.3% at $0.77 as heart stent maker expands reach in US via US$1.1 million ($1.5 million) purchase of California-based CardioMind, which makes stent systems to treat small coronary lesions.

(jcomments on}