Singapore equities advanced at the opening bell this morning, mirroring overnight gains on global markets.

In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.2 per cent to 3,180.94 points after 84.7 million securities changed hands in the broader market. 

In terms of companies to watch for today, we have CapitaLand Investment. The asset manager has raised one billion yuan (S$187.1 million) from its inaugural sustainability-linked “panda” bond, which comes with a three-year tenor and a fixed coupon rate of 3.5 per cent per annum. 

Elsewhere from how markets are reacting ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate decision, and the odds of the Fed still expecting three rate cuts this year – more international headlines are in focus. 

Also on deck – Chinese banks maintaining their benchmark lending rates after the central bank’s recent decision to stand pat on monetary policy. 

On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Carl Ashton, Investment Counselor, Citi Private Bank.