Daily Markets Briefing: STI up 0.32%

Trade jitters spooked investors anew.

The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 9.52 or 0.32% higher at 2,981.54.

The top active stocks were DBS, which dipped 0.07%, UOB, which rose 0.08%, YZJ and CapitaLand, which both grew 0.06%, and Genting Sing, with a 0.01% advance.

The FTSE Mid Cap rose 0.60% whilst the FTSE Small Cap fell 1.14%.

According to OCBC Investment Research, stocks closed lower Monday in a volatile session with the Dow Jones Industrial Average swinging over 900 points as concerns about global growth resurfaced following a news report that suggested that the U.S. is about to intensify its trade war with China.

Six out of eleven S&P 500 industries ended lower. The best performers were Real Estate (1.56%) and Utilities (1.35%) whilst the worst performers were Energy (-1.88%) and Information Technology (-1.81%).

"The weakness on Wall Street overnight amidst the trade war concerns is likely to spook the STI to a poor start this morning," added OIR.