STI dips to 4,013.62 as decliners beat gainers 282 to 192 across the broader market <\/p>\n
[SINGAPORE] Singapore equities retreated along with some regional indexes on Friday (Jul 4) as Asia\u2019s export-driven economies brace for the impact of the upcoming lifting of the pause in implementing the United States\u2019 reciprocal tariffs.<\/p>\n
The Straits Times Index (STI) was 0.2 per cent or 5.95 points lower at 4,013.62 as decliners beat gainers 282 to 192 across the broader market, amid transactions of 1.3 billion securities worth S$1.1 billion. <\/p>\n
Stephen Innes, managing partner of SPI Asset Management, said Asian markets slipped into Friday \u201clike someone entering a dark alley with one eye over their shoulder\u201d. <\/p>\n
He commented that US equities might have \u201cdanced higher on a sweet spotted post-payroll sugar rush\u201d, but Asia\u2019s export-driven economies are facing the US tariff threat with President Donald Trump saying he will be sending trading partners letters about the tariff rates.<\/p>\n
\u201cAsian equities pulled back as traders braced for impact. It\u2019s not panic yet \u2013 but it\u2019s certainly not confidence either. The US jobs print may have given Wall Street a reason to run, but in Asia, the only thing running is the clock \u2013 and it\u2019s counting down to what could be a fresh volley in Trump\u2019s tariff blitz. No one wants to be holding risk when that first letter gets sent.\u201d<\/p>\n