Singapore stocks may rise on Friday, after shares on Wall Street rose for a third straight session overnight helped by a fall in US jobless claims and as several large retailers reported solid sales. Singapore’s benchmark Straits Times Index (FTSTI) rose 1.26% on Thursday to finish at 2,897.15 points.

Malaysian state investor Khazanah extended its US$835 million partial offer for Singapore hospital operator Parkway (PARM.SI) until July 26, as it takes more time to counter Fortis Healthcare’s (FOHE.BO) better bid.

Singapore Exchange (SGXL.SI) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) will extend their mutual offset arrangement to include S&P CNX Nifty Index futures from July 19, allowing round-the-clock trading of the Indian equities contract, SGX said on Thursday. The London Metal Exchange is in talks with the Singapore Exchange on cooperating in Asia, but was coy about the scope and whether iron ore collaboration was on the cards. Analysts speculated that one of the areas the two might want to join forces in was iron ore.

SMRT Corp. (MRT SP): The commuter train operator said Nakheel PJSC, a Dubai-based company, issued a notice to SMRT’s subsidiary that it will terminate the contract of a monorail development in Dubai.

Rotary Engineering (RTRY SP): The provider of engineering design and construction services for plants said its subsidiary has increased its investment in iPromar Pte. Rotary Engineering rose 1.6% to 94.5 cents.

Singapore state investor Temasek, whose energy and resources portfolio grew by US$3.6 billion ($5 billion) last year, on Thursday dismissed talk it had held discussions with BP Plc (BP.L) for a strategic stake.

Commodity suppliers: The Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index, which tracks prices of 19 commodities including corn and copper, rose 0.5% in New York yesterday. Noble Group (NOBL SP), a Hong Kong-based commodity supplier, gained 1.2% to $1.70. Olam International (OLAM SP), a supplier of agricultural commodities, rose 0.8% to $2.62.

Palm-oil suppliers: Crude palm oil for September delivery advanced 0.8% in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Golden Agri-Resources (GGR SP), the world’s second- biggest palm-oil producer, jumped 2.9% to 54 cents. Indofood Agri Resources (IFAR SP), the palm-plantation unit of Indonesia’s biggest noodle maker, gained 1.5% to $2.07. Wilmar International (WIL SP), the world’s biggest palm-oil trader, rose 1.3% to $6.08.

Shipping companies: The Baltic Dry Index, which measures the cost of shipping commodities, fell 3.9% in London yesterday. Cosco Corp. Singapore (COS SP), the China-based shipbuilder that also operates bulk carriers, rose 2.8% $1.49. STX Pan Ocean Co. (STX SP), South Korea’s biggest bulk carrier, increased 1.7% to $13.12.