0946 GMT - Singapore's FTSE Straits Times Index closed 0.6% higher at 3930.49, tracking U.S. futures. Asian markets likely tracked U.S. optimism after a dovish stance from the Fed, the Saxo Strategy team wrote. Volatility in markets also sharply fell after Fed Chair Jerome Powell's comments, with attention now shifting to manufacturing and existing home sales data due later today, they add. Among advancers, ST Engineering jumped 5.2%, Sembcorp Industries rose 2.6% and Mapletree Logistics Trust was 2.3% higher. Among decliners, DFI Retail Group lost 1.3%, Thai Beverage Public Co. fell 1.0% and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding was 0.85% lower. (kimberley.kao@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 20, 2025 05:46 ET (09:46 GMT)
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