Singapore shares edge higher as regional markets end mixed; STI up 0.1%

[SINGAPORE] Singapore stocks ended higher on Monday (Dec 15), even as regional markets delivered a mixed performance.

The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) inched up 0.1 per cent, or 2.72 points, to close at 4,589.17. The iEdge Singapore Next 50 Index also gained 0.1 per cent, rising 1.35 points to 1,435.99.

Across the broader market, losers outnumbered gainers 287 to 226, with about 1.1 billion securities worth S$1.2 billion changing hands.

Regional markets were mixed. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 1.3 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 1.3 per cent, South Korea’s Kospi declined 1.8 per cent, while Malaysia’s FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI rose 0.4 per cent.

The coming week is expected to bring “some diverging policy decisions”, said Neil Wilson, UK investment strategist at Saxo Markets.

“The Bank of England will cut, the Bank of Japan will hike, and the European Central Bank will hold rates steady,” he noted. “All three decisions are firmly expected so (they) shouldn’t spook the horses.”

The week will also feature delayed US data releases, including figures on employment, retail sales and inflation, “which will provide a last look at the economy before the run into the year-end”, Wilson added.

On the STI, Sats was the top gainer, climbing 3.4 per cent or S$0.12 to S$3.60.

Jardine Matheson was the worst performer among the index’s constituents, slipping 1.3 per cent or US$0.94 to US$69.

SEE ALSO

SGX’s November securities turnover value up 18%, driven by index stocks and Reits

The three local banks all ended higher. DBS rose 0.5 per cent or S$0.25 to S$55.29, OCBC gained 0.5 per cent or S$0.09 to S$19.29, and UOB added 0.1 per cent or S$0.04 to finish at S$34.76.