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Singapore Shares Edge Higher as Core Inflation Eases to 1.4%

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Singapore shares closed marginally higher on Monday, as local investor sentiment was bolstered by softer-than-expected consumer price data, while the Ministry of Trade and Industry maintained its full-year 2026 GDP growth forecast at a baseline of 2% to 4%.

The Straits Times Index (STI), a key benchmark for the Singapore Exchange, ranged between 5,064.54 and 5,102.07 throughout the day. It ended the session at 5,070.55, up 2.40 points or nearly 0.1% compared to Friday's close.

Singapore's core inflation, which excludes the cost of accommodation and private transport, eased to 1.4% year-on-year in April, compared to 1.7% in the previous month, according to a joint release by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

On the corporate front, shares of AddValue Technologies (SGX:A31) surged over 20% at the close as its attributable profit to equity holders soared by 49% during the fiscal second half ended March 31 to $2.9 million from $1.9 million a year earlier.

Boustead Singapore (SGX:F9D) shares closed over 6% higher after agreeing with UI Boustead REIT (SGX:UIBU) to form a joint venture to invest, develop, own and operate a built-to-suit aerospace facility in Singapore.

Meanwhile, shares of SunMoon Food (SGX:AAJ) closed over 4% higher as it booked an attributable profit to equity holders of SG$38,000 during the fiscal year ended March 31, against an attributable loss of SG$1.5 million a year earlier.

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