Singapore shares may open stronger on Friday after Wall Street rose overnight, helped by a surprise rise in US pending home sales.

But gains in the Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> may be limited as Singapore’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for August indicated the manufacturing economy contracted for the first time after 15 months of expansion.

The Institute of Purchasing & Materials Management said on Thursday that overall new orders, new export orders, production and employment all had readings below 50 in August.

Singapore’s benchmark Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> rose 0.13% on Thursday to 2,986.66 points.

Here are some stocks and factors to watch:

Sembcorp Industries (SCI SP): The Singapore-based conglomerate that gets about 44% of revenue from utilities said its Sembcorp Utilities unit has signed deals to expand its presence in Shenyang, China. The company operates water and wastewater facilities in 12 locations across China. Its shares lost 0.2% to $4.26.

Instant beverages maker Super Group (SPGP.SI) said on Thursday it will raise $23.6 million through issuing Taiwan depository receipts at NT$14 each, or $0.59, which will start trading on Sept 9.

Footwear and apparel maker Eratat Lifestyle (ELFL.SI), which is expanding its retail footprint in China, may enter the big league and open its first store in the country’s fashion capital, Shanghai. Eratat’s revenue for this year may rise by up to 20% and it hopes to achieve a gross profit margin of 40% in three years, Chief Financial Officer Ken Ho told Reuters.

Nera Telecommunications (NERT SP): The supplier of wireless equipment to the telecommunications industry said it won contracts for the supply of broadcast transmitters, valued at $8.7 million, from an unidentified customer. Nera rose 1.6% to 32.5 cents when it last traded on Sept 1.

Singapore Exchange (SGX SP): The operator of the city’s bourse said overall derivatives trading volumes increased 19% in August from a year earlier. Securities trading rose 10% from July. Its shares fell 0.1% to $7.53.

Wilmar International (WIL SP): The world’s biggest palm-oil trader said its Newbloom Pte. unit has completed the acquisition of a 20% stake in Kencana Agri (KAGR SP), which owns palm plantations in Indonesia. Wilmar said on Aug 13 that Newbloom will pay $80.36 million for the stake, or 35 cents a share. Wilmar gained 1% to $6.37. Kencana was unchanged at 37 cents.

Commodity suppliers: The Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index, which tracks prices of 19 commodities from copper to corn, rose 1% in New York yesterday, extending its two-day advance to 2.6%. Noble Group (NOBL SP), a Hong Kong-based commodities supplier, climbed 2.5% to $1.65. Olam International (OLAM SP), a Singapore-based supplier of agricultural commodities, slipped 0.7% to $2.74.

Shipping companies: The Baltic Dry Index of commodity-shipping rates gained 3.4% in London yesterday, its biggest increased since Aug. 20. Cosco Corp. Singapore (COS SP), a China-based shipbuilder that also operates bulk carriers, slipped 1.2% to $1.61.STX Pan Ocean Co. (STX SP), South Korea’s biggest bulk carrier, was unchanged at $13.02. Mercator Lines Singapore (MRLN SP), an Indian bulk carrier, was unchanged at 27 cents.