STI climbs 1.12% on improving sentiment

SINGAPORE stocks extended gains to a fourth straight session on Wednesday as US-China trade negotiations concluded after three days. Markets also gained across Asia, reflecting investors' hopes for positive results from the talks.

The Straits Times Index (STI) climbed 1.12 per cent or 35.13 points to 3,158.07. Advancers outpaced decliners 250 to 144 as 1.6 billion shares worth S$1.12 billion changed hands.

Some analysts believe sentiment is improving across the board.

Lukman Otunuga, research analyst at FXTM, says: "A sense of optimism over trade talks between the United States and China ending on a positive note is clearly supporting global risk sentiment and this continues to be reflected on global equities. Although a breakthrough deal between both sides seems premature, any encouraging signs of cooperation and prospects of talks leading to more higher-level negotiations will be a welcome devel…