Daily Markets Briefing: STI up 0.43%

But don't expect any boost today.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 13.78 points or 0.43% higher to 3215.55 on Thursday, taking the year-to-date performance to +11.62%.

The top active stocks yesterday were Suntec REIT, which gained 1.09%, DBS, which gained 0.20%, Genting Sing, which declined 5.24%, OCBC Bank, which gained 1.15% and Singtel, with a 0.53% advance.

OCBC Investment Research said the U.S. stocks reversed direction to close mostly lower as weak financials and consumer staples shares eclipsed a rally in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors.

Meanwhile, seven out of eleven S&P 500 industries ended lower, with Consumer Staples (-0.66%) and Financials (-0.64%) leading the declines while Health Care (1.06%) led the gains.

 "The muted showing on Wall Street overnight is unlikely to provide much of a boost to the local bourse this morning," the brokerage firm said.