Singapore stocks end higher on Monday amid mixed regional showing; STI up 0.4%

Singapore stocks closed on a higher note on Monday, September 14, as the broader regional markets exhibited a mixed performance. The Straits Times Index (STI) gained 0.4% or 22.09 points, climbing to a closing value of 5,718.02. Across the wider market, the number of declining stocks outweighed the gainers, with a total of 312 losers against 235 gainers, following a daily trading volume of 1.1 billion shares worth S$1.9 billion.

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding emerged as the top performer on the blue-chip index, surging 2.6% or S$0.13 to reach S$5.11. Among the STI constituents, the Singapore Exchange experienced the most significant drop, closing at S$22.91, a decline of 5.7% or S$1.39.

Among the local banks, DBS, OCBC, and United Overseas Bank (UOB) all posted gains, with DBS rising 0.9% to S$77.66, OCBC increasing 0.8% to S$31.85, and UOB advancing 2.6% to S$42.33. In the iEdge Singapore Next 50 Index, First Resources stood out as the biggest gainer, jumping 7.2% or S$0.31 to S$4.63, while AEM was the most significant decliner, dropping 5.7% or S$0.55 to S$9.18.

Insights into regional businesses were provided, with key indices including Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gaining 0.5%, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI advancing 0.7%, Japan's Nikkei 225 falling 0.8%, and South Korea's Kospi declining 3.3%. Notably, Norbert Rucker, head of economics and next generation research at Julius Baer, attributed the mixed regional outcomes to the recent attack and closure of the Saudi East-West pipeline, which sent shockwaves through the oil market and instilled a sense of uncertainty regarding supply trends and price paths.

Brent crude oil futures were trading at US$107 per barrel at the close of Monday's Asian trading session. Rucker also adjusted his outlook on oil to "neutral" from "cautious" due to the increased uncertainty and potential for a wide range of outcomes.