Singapore shares lower

Singapore share prices closed 0.19 percent lower on Thursday in an absence of catalysts, dealers said. The blue chip Straits Times Index fell 5.67 points to 2,980.95 on low volume of 1.11 billion shares worth 1.46 billion Singapore dollars (1.07 billion US).
There were 351 falling issues, 207 risers and 934 unchanged. "Inflation concerns continue to limit optimism," said DBS Vickers. Oil rig maker Keppel Corp closed 2.1 percent or 22 cents lower at 10.88 Singapore dollars. Property firm City Developments was a key gainer, rising 3.3 percent or 36 cents to 11.20. Southeast Asia's largest property developer, CapitaLand, fell three cents to 5.69. In the banking sector, DBS fell six cents to 19.00, UOB rose four cents to 19.02 and OCBC gained six cents to 8.39.