Daily Markets Briefing: STI down 0.01%

Expect some good news today.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 0.46 points or 0.01% lower to 3381.85, taking the year-to-date performance to +17.39%.

The top active stocks were DBS, which declined 0.78%, Venture, which gained 13.94%, Singtel, which gained 0.53%, OCBC Bank, which declined 0.76% and UOB, with a 0.04% fall.

The FTSE ST Mid Cap Index gained 0.90%, whilst the FTSE ST Small Cap Index rose 0.32%.

Stocks rose moderately on Monday, helping the three main stock benchmarks to close at all-time highs, marking the 26th time this year that simultaneous records have been set, as well as the most ever records in a year.

Five out of 11 S&P 500 industries finished higher, led by Energy, which rose 2.20%, and Real Estate, which rose 1.53%, whilst Telecommunication Services, which dipped 2.45%, and Consumer Staples, which fell 1.06%, led the declines.

"Continued gains on Wall Street overnight could keep local sentiment fairly upbeat today," OCBC said.