Daily Markets Briefing: STI up 0.2%

Expect some market boosts today.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 6.43 points or 0.2% higher to 3220.25, taking the year-to-date performance to +11.78%.

The top active stocks today were CWT, which gained 0.43%, DBS, which gained 0.44%, Singtel, which closed unchanged, OCBC Bank, which gained 0.63% and UOB, with a 0.90% advance.

The FTSE ST Mid Cap Index declined 0.16%, while the FTSE ST Small Cap Index rose 0.11%.

According to OCBC Investment Research, US stocks bounced late in the session, paring early losses and ending little changed on Friday as investors shook off the latest bellicosities between North Korean and US leaders.

Six out of 11 S&P 500 industries finished higher, with Telecommunication Services at 1.35% and Energy 0.53% leading the gains, whilst Real Estate at -0.83% and Utilities at -0.72% led the declines. The index was up 0.1% for the week.

"The muted showings on Wall Street Friday are unlikely to provide much of a boost to the local bourse today," OCBC said.