Daily Markets Briefing: STI down 0.22%

Expect some boosts today.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 7.23 points or 0.22% lower to 3219.91, taking the year-to-date performance to +11.77%.

The top active stocks were DBS, which declined 0.43%, Singtel, which gained 0.27%, OCBC Bank, which declined 0.54%, UOB, which declined 0.68% and ComfortDelGro, with a 1.96% advance.

The FTSE ST Mid Cap Index gained 0.33%, whilst the FTSE ST Small Cap Index rose 0.07%.

According to OCBC Investment Research, US stocks wrapped up the week, the month and the quarter on a high note, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite and Russell 2000 hitting all-time highs on Friday. All the main indexes posted weekly, monthly and quarterly gains.

Eight out of 11 S&P 500 industries finished higher, led by Information Technology which rose 0.75% and Health Care with an advance of 0.58%. Utilities fell -0.11% and Consumer Staples dropped -0.11%, leading the losses. The index was up 1.93% for the month.

"Continued gains on Wall Street Friday could provide some cheer to the local bourse today," OCBC said.