Singapore shares may open lower on Thursday, after US stocks fell overnight as investors scaled back expectations of possible action by the Federal Reserve to boost the US economy. Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> fell 1.21% on Wednesday to 3,124.38 points. Here are some stocks and factors to watch, say Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg:

Singapore insurer Great Eastern Holdings (GELA.SI) may be in focus after it said its third-quarter net profit jumped by over five times, helped by improving underwriting profit and investment gains.

Singapore-listed Midas Holdings (MIDA.SI) said on Wednesday it had won a 20.3 million euro ($36.4 million) contract from Bombardier Transportation to supply aluminium alloy products for a train project in Switzerland.

Commodities firm Noble Group (NOBG.SI) said on Wednesday it had proposed an issue of US$350 million perpetual capital securities at an interest rate of 8.5% per annum. It said the estimated net proceeds of US$344.2 million will be used for general corporate purposes.

Singapore-listed fertiliser firm China XLX Fertiliser (CXLX.SI) said on Wednesday its third-quarter net profit rose 127% to 28.3 million yuan ($5.51 million) from a year ago on the back of higher average selling prices and lower cost of sales.

Singapore marine and offshore services provider BH Global Marine (BHGM.SI) said on Wednesday its third-quarter net profit fell 9% to $3.8 million from a year ago mainly due to slow payment from some clients affected by the credit crunch.

Singapore consumer electronics firm Creative Technology (CREA.SI) reported a first-quarter net loss of US$3.6 million ($4.7 million), wider than US$1 million loss it reported a year ago, mainly due to lower sales of its products and an increase in research and development expenses.

Bulk-shipping companies: The Baltic Dry Index, which measures the cost of shipping commodities, rose 0.2% in London yesterday, extending four-day advance to 2.4%. Cosco Corp. Singapore (COS SP), a China-based shipbuilder that also operates bulk carriers, slid 1.6% to $1.83. STX Pan Ocean Co. (STX SP), South Korea’s biggest bulk carrier, lost 1.7% to $14.16.