Daily Markets Briefing: STI up 0.05%

Expect some boosts today.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 1.81 points or 0.05% higher to 3382.31, taking the year-to-date performance to +17.41%.

The top active stocks were OCBC Bank, which gained 0.09%, DBS, which declined 0.13%, CapitaLand Commercial Trust, which gained 2.57%, UOB, which declined 0.08% and JMH USD, with a 1.57% advance.

The FTSE ST Mid Cap Index declined 0.01%, whilst the FTSE ST Small Cap Index rose 0.21%.

According to OCBC Investment Research, US stocks closed at records on Friday, with major indexes extending their lengthy upward moves on the back of strong results from Apple, which offset a mixed set of economic data, including a lacklustre October jobs report.

Six out of 11 S&P 500 industries finished higher, led by Information Technology, which rose 0.85%, and Health Care, which rose 0.80%, whilst Financials, which dipped 0.44%, led the declines. The index rallied 2.22% for the month.

"The strength on Wall Street Friday could provide some cheer to the local bourse today," OCBC said.