Singapore shares may rise on Thursday, reacting to gains on Wall Street, as fears about risky European debt eased after successful debt auctions in Portugal and Poland. Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> fell 0.81% to on Wednesday to 3,011.42 points.

Southeast Asia's largest telcom firm Singapore Telecommunications (STEL.SI) may be in focus after its Australian unit SingTel Optus said it would issue 700 million euro ($1.2 billion) worth of bonds due in 2020 with a coupon rate of 3.5%.

China Hongxing (CHXS.SI) said on Wednesday it had received orders worth about 1 billion yuan ($198 million) at its 2011 Spring/Summer Collection trade fair. This was 12.6% higher than the year-ago figure. Delivery of the orders is expected to take place from January-March next year.

Pacific Healthcare (PAHH.SI) said it has raised about $6.65 million by selling 61.95 million shares at $0.11 each to Affluent Healthcare Holdings, giving Affluent about 14.9% stake in Pacific. The proceeds will be used for its expansion plans.

Meiban Group (MEI SP): The manufacturer of electronics components said its unit agreed to form a joint venture with GKC Holdings to develop machining and drilling services, it said in a statement to the Singapore stock exchange. Meiban fell 1.6% to 30 cents.

Genting Singapore Plc (GENS SP): Singapore’s Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports is investigating whether free minibus services offered by the city’s two casinos amount to a prohibited incentive for Singaporeans to gamble. Genting, operator of one of the casinos resorts, climbed 0.6% to $1.82, a record.

Bulk shipping companies: The Baltic Dry Index, which measures the cost of shipping commodities, gained 2% in London yesterday, extending its rally for a 8th day. Cosco Corp. Singapore (COS SP), a China-based shipbuilder that also operates bulk carriers, slipped 1.8% to $1.62. Mercator Lines (Singapore) (MRLN SP), an Indian bulk carrier, was unchanged at 26.5 cents. STX Pan Ocean Co. (STX SP), South Korea’s biggest bulk carrier, lost 0.2% to $13.08.

Palm-oil suppliers: Crude palm oil for November delivery increased 1.8% in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, extending its three-day advance to 5.4%. Golden Agri-Resources (GGR SP), the world’s second-biggest palm-oil producer, fell 0.9% to 58 cents. Wilmar International (WIL SP), the world’s biggest palm-oil trader, slid 0.5% to $6.35.