In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was down 0.4 per cent to 3,162.39 points after 128.5 million securities changed hands in the broader market. 

In terms of companies to watch for today, we have CapitaLand Ascott Trust. 

The trust will seek approval from stapled securityholders at an extraordinary general meeting for interested person transactions involving the S$530.8 million acquisition of three lodging assets in London, Dublin and Jakarta. 

Elsewhere from the Israel Gaza conflict and its impact on oil prices and the safe haven gold, to expectations of the latest US earnings season, more international headlines remain in focus.

On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.