Daily Markets Briefing: STI up 0.26%

Weak US retail sales may dampen local sentiment.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 8.39 or 0.26% higher at 3,253.16.

The top active stocks were DBS, which inched up 0.28%, Singtel, which remained unchanged, ComfortDelGro, which climbed 2.1%, UOB, which dipped 0.42%, and CapitaLand with a 2.1% advance.

The FTSE Mid Cap grew 0.14% whilst the FTSE Small Cap rose 0.23%.

According to OCBC Investment Research (OIR), US stocks closed mostly lower Thursday as disappointment over weak retail sales overshadowed the optimism over US-China trade talks.

Six out of eleven S&P 500 industries ended lower, led by Consumer Staples (-1.22%) and Financials (-1.16%). Real Estate (0.45%) and Health Care (0.23%) led the gains.

"Today's tone is likely to be cautious, following the retreat from the Wall Street overnight, as the weak US retail sales weigh on the sentiment," OIR said.