Daily Markets Briefing: STI down 0.2%

Expect more muted gains today.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 6.85 points or 0.2% lower to 3423.17, taking the year-to-date performance to +18.83%.

The top active stocks today were DBS, which declined 0.89%, Singtel, which closed unchanged, Keppel Corp, which gained 0.80%, UOB, which gained 0.23% and OCBC Bank, with a 0.33% fall.

The FTSE ST Mid Cap Index declined 0.40%, whilst the FTSE ST Small Cap Index declined 0.89%.

According to OCBC Investment Research, the US stock market was closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving Day.

A broad gauge of European stocks steadied at the end of trade Thursday, after spending the session struggling to find firm direction. But French blue-chip shares climbed after data showed the country led the strengthening of the eurozone economy this month.

"With the Wall Street closed last night, the local bourse could get off to a muted start this morning.," OCBC said.