Daily Markets Briefing: STI down 0.26%

Expect some boosts today.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 8.67 points or 0.26% lower to 3280.28, taking the year-to-date performance to +13.87%.

The top active stocks were Singtel, which closed unchanged, Rowsley, which gained 5.22%, DBS, which declined 0.70%, CityDev, which gained 0.59% and CapitaLand, with a closed unchanged.

The FTSE ST Mid Cap Index declined 0.25%, whilst the FTSE ST Small Cap Index declined 0.14%.

All three main U.S. stock benchmarks closed at records on Wednesday after minutes from the Federal Reserve’s September meeting suggested caution among policymakers on the next interest rate hike which the market had widely expected in December.

Eight out of 11 S&P 500 industries finished higher, led by Real Estate, which rose 0.54%, and Utilities, which went up 0.47%, whilst Telecommunication Services, which went down -0.67%, and Financials, which declined -0.14%, led the declines.

"The continued gains on Wall Street overnight could bring some inspiration to the local bourse this morning," OCBC said.