Singapore share prices closed flat on Tuesday following three straight sessions of gains with blue chips leading the losses, dealers said. They said underlying investment sentiment remained strong and anticipated further gains in coming sessions. The Straits Times Index fell 1.67 points or 0.08 percent to 2,094.65, while the broader Singapore All Equities Index fell 0.75 points to 547.81. Volume totalled 955 million shares worth 830 million Singapore dollars (503 million US), from 883 million shares worth 797 million dollars on Monday.

Decliners led gainers 271 to 165, with 531 stocks unchanged. "After the market rose for three straight sessions, investors are possibly locking-in profits from their gains," a dealer at a local brokerage said.

"Sentiment on the ground is still positive, with many expecting the market to continue its run over the next few days."

Among blue chips, Singapore Telecommunications rose four Singapore cents to 2.59 Singapore dollars, ST Engineering gained one cent to 2.41, Singapore Press Holdings fell two cents to 4.44, and Singapore Airlines lost 20 cents to 11.50.

Among banking stocks, DBS was down 20 cents at 16.60, United Overseas Bank fell 10 cents to 13.80 and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp declined 20 cents to 13.50.

Technology counters ended the day mixed, with Chartered Semiconductor rising five cents to 1.06, STATs ChipPAC gaining a cent to 94 cents, Venture Corp rising 20 cents to 15.90 and Creative Technology shedding 60 cents to 21.60.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2005