Daily Markets Briefing: STI down 0.15%

Expect some gains today.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 5.48 points or 0.15% lower to 3567.14, taking the year-to-date performance to +4.83%.

The top active stocks were DBS, which declined 0.71%, Keppel Corp, which gained 0.58%, Singtel, which declined 0.55%, UOB, which declined 0.36% and OCBC Bank, with a 0.53% fall.

The FTSE ST Mid Cap Index declined 0.20%, whilst the FTSE ST Small Cap Index declined 0.37%.

According to OCBC Investment Research, US equity benchmarks on Friday surged to session highs, finishing the day squarely in record territory and booking a fourth straight weekly advance.

All eleven S&P 500 industries finished higher, led by Health Care, which rose 2.17%, and Information Technology, which rose 1.64%. The index rallied 2.23% for the week.

"The strength on Wall Street Friday could lift local sentiment today," OCBC said.