Daily Markets Briefing: STI up 0.95%

Expect muted gains today.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 30.68 or 0.95% higher at 3,251.08.

The top active stocks were DBS, which edged up 1.68%, Venture Corporation, which climbed 3.47%, Singtel, which remained unchanged, UOB, which increased 1.08%, and OCBC with a 1.35% advance.

The FTSE Mid Cap grew 6.58% whilst the FTSE Small Cap rose 0.17%.

According to OCBC Investment Research (OIR), US stocks finished lower Monday as investors turned cautious after initially cheering reports that the US and China were close to completing a landmark trade deal.

Six out of eleven S&P 500 industries ended lower, with Health Care (-1.34%) and Financials (-0.62%) leading the declines. Materials (0.45%) and Real Estate (0.41%) led the gains.

"We expect the local sentiment to be cautious today, as investors await details on the possible US-China trade deal," OIR said.