Daily Markets Briefing: STI down 0.1%

Do not expect boosts for now.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 3.32 points or 0.1% lower to 3310.8 on Monday, taking the year-to-date performance to +14.93%.

The top active stocks yesterday were DBS, which declined 0.09%, Singtel, which gained 0.26%, OCBC Bank, which declined 0.45%, Global Logistic, which declined 0.30% and Rowsley, with a 2.87% fall.

OCBC Investment Research said the Nasdaq finished at a record, shaking off broader market weakness as investors kicked off a busy week of earnings, a Federal Reserve policy meeting and economic data.

Meanwhile, nine out of eleven S&P 500 industries ended lower, with Telecommunication Services (-1.02%) and Utilities (-0.93%) leading the losses, while Financials (0.31%) and Information Technology (0.25%) gained.

"The mixed showings on Wall Street overnight are unlikely to bring any inspiration to the local bourse today," the brokerage firm said.