Singapore’s Straits Times Index gained 0.1% to 2,989.94 as of 9:50 a.m. local time. Two stocks rose for each that fell on the 30-member gauge.

Shares on the measure trade at an average 14.6 times estimated earnings, compared with about 17.4 times at the beginning of the year, according to Bloomberg data. The following shares were among the most active in the market. 

 

Sembcorp Industries (SCI SP), the Singapore-based conglomerate that gets about 44% of revenue from utilities, increased 0.9% to $4.30. The company said its Sembcorp Utilities unit has signed deals to expand its presence in Shenyang, China. The company operates water and wastewater facilities in 12 locations across China.

 

Singapore Exchange (SGX SP), the operator of the city’s bourse, rose 0.5% to $7.57. The company said overall derivatives trading volumes increased 19% in August from a year earlier. Securities trading jumped 10% from July.

 

Wilmar International WIL SP), the world’s biggest palm-oil trader, gained 0.2% to $6.38. The company said its Newbloom unit completed the acquisition of a 20% stake in Kencana Agri (KAGR SP), which owns palm plantations in Indonesia. Wilmar said on Aug. 13 that Newbloom will pay $80.36 million for the stake, or 35 cents a share.