SINGAPORE, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Singapore shares closed 1.32 percent lower on Thursday, as fresh lockdowns in Europe and the United States due to surge in coronavirus cases and the possibility of a contested U.S. presidential election next week weighed on investors' sentiment.

U.S markets suffered the biggest drop since June on Wednesday as rising coronavirus infections and tougher lockdowns added to worries about the economic fallout from the pandemic. Other than the disappointment over the failure to agree on an economic aid package before the November 3 election, the worries about increased volatility ahead of the presidential vote also kept investors on edge.

Meanwhile, crude oil prices fell to the lowest level since June in Asia as swelling U.S. crude stockpiles and surge in coronavirus cases clouded the demand outlook.

Maybank-Kim Eng Retail Research said "technically, the Straits Times Index is poised to slide below its 2,480 points and 2,490 points support band towards the next level at 2,450 points, with immediate resistance now pegged at 2,520 points."

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index sank 32.8 points to 2,450.68 points. Trading volume was 1.2 billion shares worth 1.21 billion Singapore dollars. Decliners slightly outnumbered advancers 280 to 159.

Keppel Corporation fell 1.61 percent to 4.27 Singapore dollars. Its infrastructure unit, Keppel DHCS, has been awarded a 300 million Singapore dollar contract to build, own and operate (BOO) a new district cooling system (DCS) at the upcoming Bulim Phase 1 of the Jurong Innovation District. The 30-year BOO contract will be implemented in stages, and expected to be completed in 2022. The new DCS plant will have a cooling capacity of up to 14,000 refrigeration tons to provide chilled water supply service to the developments of the mainly high-specification industrial-use buildings.

Among top gainers, Jardine Matheson rose 0.56 percent to 44.67 U.S. dollars, while Venture Corporation became one of the top losers by falling 1.16 percent to 19.63 Singapore dollars. (1 U.S. dollar equals 1.36 Singapore dollars)