Singapore shares pare gains as investors content to take some profits after STI set new year-to-date high of 3,043 in early trade, notes Dow Jones.

Index flat at 3,023.64 midday, expected to hold above resistance-turned-support of 3,000 for rest of session. Market breadth flat vs four gainers for every decliner earlier.

“Fundamentals do not point to an abrupt end of the market rally,” says AmFraser Securities strategist Najeeb Jarhom; expects market liquidity to remain strong as US interest rates likely to remain low till at least next year.

Among blue chips, banks and developers mixed, Jardine group and rig builders down, commodity plays mostly higher.

Good mix of large, small caps among most active in market, led by Genting Singapore (G13.SG), off 3.9% at $1.24, Golden Agri-Resources (E5H.SG), +1.7% at $0.61, Kreuz Holdings (5RK.SG), +12.5% at $0.495, Design Studio (D11.SG), +13.2% at $0.645.