1 Apple shares lost ground in pre-market trading after the European Union ordered Ireland to recover US$13 billion (S$18 billion) in taxes from the tech giant.

2 The 10 biggest SGX-listed F&B plays have averaged a 23 per cent gain this year. Japfa, Thai Beverage and Jumbo Group were the strongest performers, an SGX MyGateway report said.

3 KS Energy chairman and chief executive Kris Wiluan bought 135,000 company shares at 13.064 cents apiece. The company in the oil and gas sector is looking for buyers of its distribution business.

4 China Star Food said it has consulted lawyers on the letter of demand it received from Mr Cheong Chee Hwa for the payment of $2,544,696. It said the demand is without merit.

5 Rubber glove manufacturer Top Glove is buying a freehold factory for 51.5 million ringgit (S$17 million) in Selangor, Malaysia.