ST Index advances 1.04%; Yangzijiang among top actives

THE Straits Times Index (STI) rose for a third straight day to close 1.04 per cent or 26.41 points higher at 2,559.10 on Thursday, buoyed by positive updates on the Covid-19 vaccine front, and speculation over the progress of a US stimulus package.

About 1.63 billion securities worth S$1.32 billion changed hands on Thursday. Gainers outnumbered losers 238 to 193.

Shares of local banks perked up on Thursday after DBS Group reported a second quarter net profit that was slightly ahead of expectations, while United Overseas Bank's earnings missed expectations.