Singapore shares likely to rise, tracking gains across regional bourses after DJIA ends at highest level since May 3, helped by upbeat earnings from Citigroup; that actual earnings results fuelled buying interest, rather than Fed easing hopes, also viewed as positive, says Dow Jones.

"The quantitative easing story has had a good run, and now people will want to look at earnings, both here and in the US for more reasons to buy," says a dealer at local brokerage.

M1 (B2F.SG) — the first telco to report 3Q earnings — likely in focus, may underperform as costs rise 34.5% on year. Global Logistic Properties (MC0.SG) also likely to remain in focus after robust debut yesterday, closing 11% above IPO price, with around 466 million shares traded — around a fifth of total market volume.

STI ends down 0.7% at 3,181.27, with 344 losers/161 gainers; May 2008 peak of 3,267 likely to remain near-term cap.