Around the World's Markets: Singapore

SINGAPORE SHARES ended flat yesterday but Singapore Airlines (SIA) stole the limelight with its multi-million dollar equity purchase of Virgin Atlantic.

The Straits Times Index ended at 2,362.58, down 7.08 points or 0.30 per cent, while SIA stock settled 8.54 per cent higher at S$17.80. On Monday, SIA bought a 49 per cent stake of the British carrier for pounds 600m, in a deal that analysts said could propel earnings and add S$100-S$150m to SIA's bottom line.