The Singapore stock market has moved higher in back-to-back sessions, gathering more than 10 points or 0.3 percent along the way. The Straits Times Index now rests just above the 3,010-point plateau, and the market may extend its gains on Monday.
The global forecast for the Asian markets suggests mild upside, thanks to bargain hunting and a spike in the price of crude oil. The European and U.S. markets were up and the Asian markets are expected to follow suit.
The STI finished barely higher on Friday as gains from the plantations and telecoms were offset by weakness from the properties and financials.
For the day, the index picked up 2.86 points or 0.10 percent to finish at 3,011.08 after trading between 3,003.80 and 3,016.45.
Among the actives, Singapore Technologies Engineering plummeted 2.95 percent, while StarHub spiked 2.31 percent, Wilmar International advanced 1.83 percent, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding skidded 1.21 percent, Hutchison Port Holdings tumbled 1.16 percent, SingTel climbed 0.79 percent, Global Logistic Properties gained 0.77 percent, CapitaLand Mall Trust added 0.76 percent, CapitaLand Commercial Trust shed 0.64 percent, Thai Beverage lost 0.58 percent, Genting Singapore fell 0.54 percent, Ascendas REIT picked up 0.42 percent and DBS Group eased 0.05 percent.
The lead from Wall Street is cautiously optimistic as the market moved broadly higher on Friday before pulling back going into the close.
The Dow added 94.85 points or 0.5 percent to 19,827.25, while the NASDAQ rose 15.25 points or 0.3 percent to 5,555.33 and the S&P was up 7.62 points or 0.3 percent to 2,271.31. For the week, the Dow and the NASDAQ both fell 0.3 percent, while the S&P lost 0.1 percent.
Bargain hunting led to the initial strength, although traders were focused on President Donald Trump's inaugural address after he was officially sworn in as the 45th president.
Trump remained light on policy details in his remarks but pledged to lead an administration that puts America first.
Crude oil futures rallied Friday for a small weekly gain. February WTI oil gained $1.05 or 2 percent to settle at $52.42/bbl. Crude oil was up 0.1 percent for the week.
Closer to home, Singapore will provide December numbers for consumer prices later today; in November, inflation was up 0.3 percent on month and flat on year.
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Market Analysis
April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.