Daily Markets Briefing: STI down 0.12%

Investors are urged to take caution today.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 3.87 points or 0.12% lower to 3212.04, taking the year-to-date performance to +11.50%.

The top active stocks today were DBS, which declined 0.49%, OCBC Bank, which gained 0.09%, UOB, which gained 0.17%, Singtel, which gained 0.27% and ComfortDelGro, with a 1.25% fall.

The FTSE ST Mid Cap Index gained 0.01%, whilst the FTSE ST Small Cap Index remained unchanged.

According to OCBC Investment Research, US stock-market indices relinquished earlier gains to close little changed on Tuesday, with the Dow industrials extending a losing streak to a fourth session.

Three out of 11 S&P 500 industries finished higher, led by Information Technology with 0.40% and Real Estate with 0.11%, whilst Telecommunication Services which went down by 0.86%and Materials that dipped by 0.40% led the declines.

"The muted showings on Wall Street overnight could keep local sentiment cautious today," OCBC said.