12.12.202506:57:18UTC+00Singapore Stocks Notch Record Peak in Afternoon Trade

In the Friday afternoon trading session, the Straits Times Index surged by 58 points, or 1.3%, reaching a new peak of 4,579. This rise continues the upward momentum from the previous day and positions the index for a weekly gain of approximately 1%. Investor sentiment improved significantly due to the sharp increase in U.S. futures, following record highs in two major Wall Street indices, bolstered by the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cut. In China, Singapore's principal trading partner, top officials wrapped up their annual economic planning meeting with commitments to provide comprehensive support through 2026. These commitments include initiatives to enhance consumption and bolster domestic technological capabilities. Domestically, Singapore's labor market exhibited resilience in the third quarter of 2025, characterized by accelerated employment growth alongside low unemployment and retrenchment figures, supported by consistent economic expansion. Various sectors recorded advances, with consumer durables, utilities, and manufacturing leading the charge. Noteworthy gains were observed in companies such as Jardine Matheson, which rose by 4.4%, Hong Leong Asia by 3.8%, Seatrium by 2.4%, DBS Group by 1.2%, and Singapore Telecommunications by 1.5%.