Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Stocks rise, Neptune Orient gains

Singapore shares marched higher by midday as Asian markets strengthened following upbeat comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on monetary policy.

The benchmark Straits Times Index was up 0.8% at 2,998.5, rebounding from Monday’s 0.5% fall.

“Bernanke’s words that monetary policy will be loose will provide a short term catalyst for the markets. Overall the trend is upwards but it’s going to be slow for the rest of the year,” said a trader.

OCBC Investment Research expects to see the STI testing its recent high of around 3,030, which it hit a week ago.

Container shipping firm Neptune Orient Lines was among the top gainers on the index and rose 2.2% after Credit Suisse rated the company as an outperform.

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