Geopolitical tensions limit gains; STI ends flat

INVESTORS found their attentions divided by various geopolitical tensions on Friday, with the world keeping an eye on both the United States-China trade talks that resumed on Thursday and the US' possible response to the attacks on Saudi oil facilities, which it blames on Iran.

Indices in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and China edged higher, while Hong Kong stocks fell, dragged by continued unrest.

"Equity bulls are holding on to the notion that there's more upside, as more monetary policy stimulus continues feeding through into major economies," FXTM market analyst Han Tan said in an afternoon note. "Still, market sentiment is holding its cautious undertone, for fear of being blindsided by another negative geopolitical or economic surprise that kicks risk appetite in the gut."