Optimism returns to regional markets

OPTIMISM returned to regional markets though the effect was somewhat negated in the local market, due to mixed earnings from index firms.

While the Straits Times Index (STI) failed to post gains, losses were less than in recent days with the benchmark index finishing at 3,218.77, down 4.94 points or 0.15 per cent on Wednesday.

"A couple of mixed earnings from the Singapore blue-chips had weighed on the broader market and the disappointment from Chinese data released this morning did little to help," IG market strategist, Pan Jingyi, said of Wednesday's session.