The Straits Times Index added 0.2% to 2,803.99 as of the 12:30 p.m. trading break. About as many stocks gained as fell on the 30-member gauge.

 

Stocks on the measure trade at 17 times estimated earnings, compared with about 10 times at the start of the year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The following shares were among the most active in the market.

 

Palm oil suppliers: Crude palm oil for February delivery rose 1.9% in Kuala Lumpur today, adding to a 0.5% gain yesterday.

 

Golden Agri-Resources (GGR SP), the world’s second- biggest palm oil producer, rose 1% to 49 cents. Indofood Agri Resources (IFAR SP), the palm oil unit of Indonesia’s biggest noodle maker, jumped 5.5% to S$2.13, set for its highest close since July 2008.

 

Chemoil Energy (CHEME SP), the world’s largest independent supplier of marine fuels, tumbled 14% to 37.5 cents. A unit of Glencore International AG (1696Z SW) agreed to buy a 50.8% stake in Chemoil Energy for 35.52 cents a share and is offering to buy the rest, according to a regulatory statement.

 

Noble Group (NOBL SP), a Hong Kong-based commodities supplier, slid 1% to $3.07. UBS AG analyst Andreas Bokkenheuser cut the rating on the shares to “neutral” from “buy.”

 

Singapore Airlines (SIA SP), the carrier, added 2.3% to $14.08. HSBC Holdings Plc. analyst Mark Webb raised the rating on the shares to “overweight” from “neutral.” Also, Tiger Airways (4661Z SP), a budget carrier partly owned by Singapore Airlines, may raise about $200 million in an initial public offering, according to a pre- marketing document. DBS Group Holdings (DBS SP), Southeast Asia’s biggest lender, as well as Citigroup Inc. (C US) and Morgan Stanley (MS US), have been mandated to manage the sale of Tiger Airways shares, according to two people familiar with the situation. DBS climbed 0.8% to $14.88.