The Singapore stock market has climbed higher in three straight trading days, adding more than 35 points or 1.1 percent along the way. The Straits Times Index now rests just above the 3,240-point plateau and it's called higher again on Monday.
The global forecast for the Asian markets is upbeat as disappointing U.S. job numbers may affect the long-term outlook for interest rates. The European and U.S. markets were firm, and the Asian markets figure to follow that lead.
The STI finished barely higher on Friday following mixed performances from the financials, properties and industrials.
For the day, the index gathered 4.05 points or 0.13 percent to finish at 3,240.01 after trading between 3,233.59 and 3,248.12. Volume was 1.92 billion shares worth 1 billion Singapore dollars. There were 270 gainers and 183 decliners.
Among the actives, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding tumbled 3.07 percent, while Ascendas REIT spiked 1.89 percent, SembCorp Industries dropped 1.57 percent, Golden Agri-Resources advanced 1.39 percent, DBS Group shed 0.82 percent, Keppel Corp climbed 0.62 percent, CapitaLand Commercial Trust fell 0.30 percentSingTel added 0.26 percent and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation collected 0.19 percent.
The lead from Wall Street is positive as stocks moved higher on Friday as the major averages climbed to fresh record closing highs.
The NASDAQ added 58.97 points or 0.9 percent to 6,305.80, while the Dow rose 62.11 points or 0.3 percent to 21,206.29 and the S&P was up 9.01 points or 0.4 percent to 2,439.07. For the week, the NASDAQ surged 1.5 percent, the S&P jumped 1 percent and the Dow added 0.6 percent.
The strength on Wall Street came despite a Labor Department report showing weaker than expected job growth in May - although the jobless rate fell to its lowest level since May 2001. Also, the Commerce Department said that the U.S. trade deficit widened by more than expected in April.
Crude oil futures fell further Friday, extending losses amid industry data showing U.S. drillers added rigs for the 20th week in a row. July WTI fell 70 cents or 1.5 percent to $47.66/bbl. Prices dropped 4.3 percent for the week.
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Market Analysis
April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.