Singapore shares may see a weak start on Thursday after Wall Street's main indices ended lower overnight, with September's rally losing some steam. Stocks may also come under pressure after the US passed legislation to pressure China to let its currency rise faster, fanning the flames of a long-running dispute over trade and jobs.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> rose 0.28% on Wednesday to 3,106.03 points. Stocks and factors to watch:

Sound Global (SGL SP), a provider of waste-water treatment services in China, said its shares will start trading in Hong Kong today. The stock surged 12% to 90.5 cents.

GuocoLand (GUOC.SI) said on Wednesday its wholly-owned subsidiary has jointly won the bid for a land parcel in Shanghai for 3.04 billion yuan ($598 million) together with a unit of Guoco Group (0053.HK).

Keppel Land (KLAN.SI) said it plans to strengthen its focus in China through establishing a wholly-owned subsidiary, Keppel Land China, to own and operate all of Keppel Land's properties in the country. Choo Chiau Beng will be the chairman of Keppel Land China.

Hongwei Technologies (HONG SP): The China-based maker of polyester differential fibers said it has raised $4.4 million by selling 20 million new shares at 22 cents each in a private placement. Hongwei slipped 4.2% to 23 cents.

Swiber Holdings (SWIB SP), an offshore logistics services provider, said it bought a 33.3% stake in PJW 3000 Pte, an owner and operator of a pipe-laying barge, for US$31.25 million ($41.17 million). Its shares increased 1% to $1.03.

Hongkong Land Holdings (HKL SP), one of the biggest business-district landlords in the Chinese city, sold US$600 million ($790.5 million) of 15-year debt, which carries a coupon rate of 4.5%, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Its shares gained 0.5% to US$6.13.

Shipping companies: The Baltic Dry Index of commodity-shipping rates fell 1.4% in London yesterday, snapping its two-day advance. Cosco Corp. Singapore (COS SP), a China-based shipbuilder that also operates bulk carriers, rose 2.2% to $1.84. Mercator Lines Singapore (MRLN SP), an Indian bulk carrier, slipped 1.8% to 27.5 cents. STX Pan Ocean Co. (STX SP), South Korea’s biggest bulk carrier, dropped 1.5% to $13.50.