SINGAPORE - Local shares closed to a six-month low as investors were gripped by fear about the well-being of the global economy.

The Straits Times Index (STI) closed down by 21.72 points or 0.67 per cent to 3,202.15, staying just above the 3,200 psychological support level.

The last time the STI was so low was when it dipped to 3,198.23 on April 11.

The decline followed last Friday's 1.09 per cent drop.

Some 1.25 billion shares worth a total of $894.4 million exchanged hands.

Asian shares were also mostly lower.

Shanghai fell 0.4 per cent, Sydney lost 0.6 per cent while Seoul declined 0.6 per cent.

Hong Kong bucked the trend to close 0.2 per cent higher after dropping by as much as 1.3 per cent, while Tokyo was closed for a public holiday.

Shares mostly fell despite data out on Monday showing China's exports rose 15.3 per cent in September from a year ago.

Remisier Desmond Leong says investor sentiment has turned negative since the United States market turned more volatile of late.