Banks help STI make 8th straight gain

AN unsurprising 14.01-point rise in the Straits Times Index (STI) to 3,367.69 and a thin volume of 891 million units worth S$580 million - more in line with half-day totals rather than a full-day session - were the main features of Monday's session.

It was the index's eighth consecutive rise but it came as no surprise. Many in the market had anticipated a year-end push on the STI, one that has been made all the more easy because of poor liquidity and the absence of many players.

The index has risen 152 points or 4.7 per cent in the eight sessions and is up 6.3 per cent for the year so far.