Market View: Asian stocks ticked up early on but gains capped as traders questioned the durability of US-Iran ceasefire; China’s factories jolt back to inflation on Iran war price shock; South Korea holds rates steady; Fast Retailing’s shares hit record after boosting profit outlook; SGX, CDL to watch

Singapore shares nudged higher today as investors continued to monitor the situation in the Middle East and mull upcoming US-Iran talks to be held over the weekend. The Straits Times Index edged 0.13% higher to 4,983.64 points at 1.39pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.00B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have the Singapore Exchange, given how the local bourse’s total securities market turnover value increased 78 per cent year on year to S$52.8 billion in March. Elsewhere, from how traders questioned the durability of this week’s US-Iran ceasefire, to how China’s factory-gate prices rose for the first time in 3-1/2 years in March, more international headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.