SINGAPORE - Singapore shares began Wednesday (Dec 9)trading on a downbeat note, with markets opening lower amid a global equities slump spurred by a rout in commodities.

The Straits Times Index opened 5.24 points lower at 2,870.79 at 9 a.m.

Top actives in the morning included Neptune Orient Lines, which has been making headlines after announcing an acquisition by French shipping giant CMA CGM, and Rowsley, which has teamed up with Thomson Medical to turn its Iskandar property project into a medical hub.