STOCK markets don't seem to mind alternative facts all that much, at least for the time being. The Singapore bourse finished 0.5 per cent up on Monday, with the Straits Times Index (STI) advancing 14.4 points to 3,025.48, after the inauguration of United States President Donald Trump.

The local blue-chip index got a lift after a higher close on Wall Street last Friday, the day Mr Trump was sworn in. According to Reuters, that was the first time in more than 50 years that equities have risen on a new US president's first day in office.

The STI's climb was mainly driven by the three banks along with conglomerates including Jardine Matheson and Keppel Corp.