Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose 0.7 to 2,771.25 at the 12:30 p.m. trading break. More than three stocks gained for each that dropped on the 30-member gauge.

 

Shares on the measure trade at 14.6 times estimated earnings, compared with about 10 times at the start of 2009, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The following shares were among the most active in the market. 

 

Commodity suppliers: The Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index, which tracks prices of 19 commodities including corn and copper, climbed 1.4% on Feb. 26. Noble Group (NOBL SP), a Hong Kong-based commodities supplier, rose 0.6% to $3.19. Olam International (OLAM SP), a supplier of agricultural commodities, advanced 2.5% to $2.49.

 

Palm oil suppliers: Crude palm oil for May delivery advanced 1.6% in Kuala Lumpur today. Golden Agri- Resources (GGR SP), the world’s second-biggest palm oil producer, climbed 2.8% to 54.5 cents. Indofood Agri Resources (IFAR SP), the palm plantation unit of Indonesia’s biggest noodle maker, gained 0.9% to $2.15.

 

Wilmar International (WIL SP), the world’s biggest palm oil trader, increased 2.3% to $6.65. The company said fourth-quarter profit rose 18% to US$442 million ($593.6 million) from US$373.6 million a year earlier. The median forecast of six analysts polled by Bloomberg was US$391 million.

 

Raffles Medical Group (RFMD SP), a Singapore-based hospital operator, rose 1.5% to $1.38. DMG & Partners Securities Pte upgraded the stock to “buy” from “neutral’ after the company reported a 20% increase in full-year net income.

 

United Overseas Bank (UOB SP), Singapore’s second- biggest lender, fell 0.9% to $18.48. Credit Suisse Group AG cut the stock to “neutral’ from “outperform.”

 

Venture Corp. (VMS SP), Singapore’s biggest electronics contract manufacturer, climbed 2% to $8.61. The company said net income in the fourth quarter increased to $16.8 million from $4.6 million a year ago. OCBC Investment Research upgraded the stock to “buy” from “hold.”