STI +0.6% at 3211.45, likely to remain above key 3200 mark today though volume shrinks to meagre 786 million shares worth $977.7 million as investors shy away from betting before big news from U.S.; “I think the Fed is just a focal point, the impact (of any quantitative easing) on the Singapore economy is unlikely to be immediate, so people will be looking more to the U.S. market reaction. I really think it’s more of an excuse for people to be a bit cautious ahead of the (FOMC) meeting” results, says trader at local brokerage. 

Palm plays up as CPO prices at fresh 27-month highs; Wilmar (F34.SG) +1.5% at $6.56, Golden Agri (E5H.SG) +0.7% at $0.685, First Resources (EB5.SG) +0.8% at $1.30. OCBC (O39.SG) +1.3% at $9.34, outperforms peers after 3Q results well received. STI’s recent 3220 peak unlikely tested today, further out, 3267 May 2008 peak may cap.