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SINGAPORE: Singapore shares kicked off the week on a negative note as US congressional approval of a US$700-billion bailout plan failed to quell jitters in the US financial market.
The blue chip Straits Times Index (STI) was down 1.9 per cent in opening trade, falling 45.47 points to 2,251.65. Some 38.7 million shares exchanged hands, with losers beating gainers 114 to 26.
Other Asian markers also opened in the red.
Japan's Nikkei stock index plunged 3.13 per cent within the first hour of trade, falling to a four-year low at 10,596.06.
South Korea's benchmark Kospi index decreased 3.7 per cent to 1,367.19, while Taiwan's weighted index sank 3.34 per cent to 5,550.24 within minutes of trading.
Australia's main S&P/ASX 200 dropped 3.04 per cent to 4,552.60, and the New Zealand NZSX-50 was 2.67 per cent lower at 3,067.45.
- CNA/yb
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