Singapore’s Straits Times Index dropped 0.6% to 2,812.32 as of the 12:30 p.m. trading break. The measure is heading for a 2.6% decline for the quarter, bringing its loss in the first half to 3%. Three stocks fell for each that rose on the 30-member gauge.

Shares on the measure trade at 13.8 times estimated earnings, compared with about 17.4 times at the end of 2009, according to Bloomberg data. The following shares were among the most active in the market. 

 

Commodity producers: The Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index, which tracks prices of commodities from copper to corn, dropped 2.8% in New York yesterday, its biggest decline since August 2009. Noble Group (NOBL SP), a Hong Kong-based commodity supplier, fell 1.2% to S$1.71. Olam International (OLAM SP), a supplier of agricultural commodities, dropped 1.5 to S$2.56.

 

Palm oil suppliers: Crude palm oil for September delivery fell for a second day in Kuala Lumpur. Indofood Agri Resources (IFAR SP), the palm-oil unit of Indonesia’s biggest noodle maker, slid 2.3% to $2.11. Wilmar International (WIL SP), the world’s biggest palm-oil trader, fell 1.2% to $5.70.

 

Biosensors International Group (BIG SP), a maker of drug-coated stents that treat blocked arteries, gained 1.3% to 77 cents. The company said it bought some assets of rival CardioMind Inc. for US$1.1 million ($1.54 million).

 

China Fishery Group (CFG SP), a fishing-fleet operator, climbed 3.8% to $1.90. The company said it will raise $266 million selling shares and warrants to Carlyle Group. The shares will be sold at $1.85 each, while the warrants will have an exercise price of $2.10 each, it said.

 

Ezion Holdings (EZI SP), a provider of offshore logistics services, gained 0.8% to 63 cents. OCBC Investment Research initiated coverage of the stock with a “buy” rating and a share-price forecast of 81 cents.