Singapore stocks dipped for the second straight session on Wednesday, with the benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) dropping 7.85 points, or 0.25 per cent, to 3,184.23.

Some 1.3 billion shares worth $742.8 million changed hands.

Major regional markets finished mainly mildly weaker, with Japan down 0.33 per cent, South Korea 0.71 per cent behind and Australia back 0.85 per cent.

But Hong Kong edged up 0.18 per cent, while Shanghai added 0.62 per cent.

Here, 14 of the 30 STI component counters ended lower, with 12 gainers and four unchanged.