Singapore share prices closed 0.44 percent lower on Tuesday, as investors locked in profits due to worries about the health of the US economy, dealers said. The Straits Times Index fell 14.79 points to 3,338.27 on volume of 1.88 billion shares worth 1.94 billion Singapore dollars (1.35 billion US).
Decliners led rising issues 472 to 264, with 972 stocks unchanged. Banking shares declined, with DBS Group shedding 20 cents to 20.04 dollars, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp losing 10 cents to 8.09 dollars and United Overseas Bank down 24 cents at 18.84 dollars.
City Developments led the property decliners, slipping 36 cents to 12.64 dollars. Blue chip Singapore Telecommunications rebounded to gain 40 cents at 3.80 dollars. Bourse operator Singapore Exchange slumped 20 cents to 12.10 dollars and shipping giant Neptune Orient Lines was down 11 cents at 3.59 dollars.