Daily Markets Briefing: STI up 0.57%

Expect muted gains today.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 18.58 or 0.57% higher at 3,278.38.

The top active stocks were DBS, which dipped 0.08%, Singtel, which rose 1.67%, UOB, which increased 0.7%, OCBC, which inched up 0.26%, and Sembcorp Marine with a 6.33% advance.

The FTSE Mid Cap grew 0.82% whilst the FTSE Small Cap rose 0.5%.

According to OCBC Investment Research (OIR), stock indexes closed moderately higher Wednesday, with the Nasdaq up for an eighth session in a row, following the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January meeting, which showed the policy-setting committee was split on the path for interest rates.

"The gains on Wall Street overnight could keep local sentiment fairly buoyant today," OIR said.