Singapore shares started the week in the red zone, despite gains in the regional markets, as states look to conclude trade deals with the US before the Aug. 1 cut-off date.

The Straits Times Index (STI), a key benchmark for the Singapore Exchange, ranged between 4,241.14 and 4,270.56 throughout the day. It ended the session at 4,241.14, down 19.92 points or 0.47% compared to Friday's close.

In company news, shares of EnGro were up nearly 18% at the close, with the company expecting to book a significant improvement in its profit before tax for the first half of the year.

Leader Env surged nearly 17% as the company completed the disposal of its subsidiaries, AI Water, UG Water, and Xinwo AI, for a total of 370 million yuan.

Meanwhile, shares of IFAST were up over 10% at the close with the company's attributable profit to owners jumped 38% during the second quarter of the year to SG$22.1 million from SG$16.0 million a year earlier.