Daily Markets Briefing: STI down 0.15%

Don't expect any lift from Wall Street today.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 5 points or 0.15% lower to 3246.99 on Monday, taking the year-to-date performance to +12.71%.

The top active stocks yesterday were DBS, which declined 0.05%; OCBC Bank, which gained 0.18%; CapitaLand Mall Trust, which declined 0.47%; Singtel, which declined 0.27%; and Best World, with a 2.09% advance.

According to OCBC Investment Research, the Dow industrials and S&P 500 eked out slight gains to close higher and halt a two-session decline on a light-volume, whilst the Nasdaq finished in the red as investors remained cautious amid geopolitical tensions and ongoing domestic political turmoil.

Meanwhile, eight out of eleven S&P 500 industries ended higher, led by Real Estate (1.07%) while Energy (-0.55%) led the declines.

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