Asian Markets Poised for Positive Monday Open as Global Sentiment Strengthens

The rally that has swept through major global markets shows no signs of slowing down, with Asia primed to carry the momentum into the week. Singapore’s market open is particularly worth watching, as the Straits Times Index has already posted three consecutive gains totaling approximately 40 points—a 0.9 percent advance that positions the benchmark just above 4,520.

Global Tailwinds Fueling the Upside

Wall Street’s exceptional performance is setting the tone for regional markets. Friday saw the major American indices extend their winning streak to five consecutive sessions, with the Dow surging 289.30 points (0.61%) to 47,716.42, NASDAQ climbing 151 points (0.65%) to 23,365.69, and the S&P 500 adding 36.48 points (0.54%) to 6,849.09. For the shortened trading week, these gains compounded impressively: the NASDAQ jumped 4.9 percent, the S&P 500 rose 3.7 percent, and the Dow advanced 3.2 percent. The catalyst remains consistent—dovish messaging from Federal Reserve officials has rekindled optimism about rate cuts. CME Group’s FedWatch Tool currently shows an 86.9 percent probability of a quarter-point rate reduction in December.

Singapore’s Market Open Signals Continued Support

The Straits Times Index closed Friday at 4,523.96, up 14.62 points or 0.32 percent, driven primarily by strength in financial stocks. Property and industrial sectors showed mixed results, keeping gains modest. However, the technical setup and global backdrop suggest additional upside potential when the market open resumes Monday trading.

Divergent Sector Performance

Individual stocks reflected varied sector dynamics. Financial giant OCBC surged 1.26 percent, while United Overseas Bank added 0.27 percent. Real estate names showed inconsistency: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust declined 0.84 percent, but CapitaLand Investment gained 0.38 percent. Industrial names were similarly mixed, with City Developments down 0.96 percent contrasting Wilmar International’s 0.62 percent gain.

Among growth-oriented names, Thai Beverage rallied 1.09 percent, DBS Group rose 0.37 percent, and Genting Singapore advanced 0.66 percent. Meanwhile, logistics and data center plays showed resilience: Mapletree Logistics Trust jumped 0.76 percent, Mapletree Industrial Trust moved up 0.49 percent, and Keppel DC REIT increased 0.43 percent.

Energy Markets Provide Additional Context

Crude oil prices edged higher Friday amid lingering geopolitical uncertainty regarding potential peace negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. West Texas Intermediate crude for January delivery rose $0.18 (0.31%) to $58.83 per barrel, reflecting cautious optimism balanced against supply concerns.

What Monday Could Bring

The improved outlook for interest rates—a key theme reshaping risk appetite globally—should provide tailwinds for Singapore’s market open. The combination of extended gains from developed markets and supportive central bank rhetoric suggests investors remain positioned for continued strength in Asian equities.