Singapore shares plunged on Thursday, tracking regional losses as investor confidence was weighed down by concerns over AI trade, coupled by continued tensions in the Middle East.

The Straits Times Index (STI), a key benchmark for the Singapore Exchange, ranged between 5,514.30 and 5,551.25 throughout the day. It ended the session at 5,539.38, down 20.34 points or 0.4% compared to Wednesday's close.

On the corporate front, shares of HG Metal Manufacturing (SGX:BTG) closed over 2% higher as it agreed to extend the long stop date for acquiring a property at 47 Tuas View Circuit in Singapore to Sept. 16.

Lum Chang Creations (SGX:LCC) was down nearly 3% at the close with the company expecting to book a "significant increase" in its net profit for the fiscal year ended June 30, compared to a year earlier.

Meanwhile, A consortium comprising Frasers Property (SGX:TQ5), Frasers Centrepoint Trust (SGX:J69U), Sunway MCL (KLSE:5211), Sekisui House (TYO:1928) and Lum Chang Building Contractors has emerged as the top bidder for the Bayshore Drive Government Land Sales site in Singapore.