STI likely to fall, tracking regional bourses’ weakness after US stocks slumped on Tuesday on increased concern about US foreclosure crisis, Beijing’s rate hike, says Dow Jones. 

Index ended Tuesday +0.3% at 3,192.29.

“The local market has taken on a life of its own lately, although today we’ll probably take the US cue and take some profit,” says analyst at local brokerage.

Notes, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures down around 27 points, Nikkei opened down 1.5% “which is never good news.” Neptune Orient Lines (N03.SG), Osim International (O23.SG) in focus after they both reported strong sets of 3Q results. Support for index at 3,142 last week’s low, resistance at 3,220.

Singapore shares are likely to fall on Wednesday, as China’s surprise move to raise rates sent investors scrambling to safe haven assets, amid worries that tightening credit could weigh on an uncertain economic recovery. Singapore’s benchmark Straits Times Index <.FTSTI> rose 0.35% on Tuesday to 3,192.29 points.

Here are some stocks and factors to watch according to Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters:
Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) (NEPS.SI), the world’s fifth largest container shipping firm, may rise after it reported better-than-expected third quarter profit of US$282.3 million ($371.4 million), rebounding from a loss a year ago thanks to a recovery in cargo volumes and rates.

CapitaRetail China Trust (CRCT SP): The shopping mall operator in China partly-owned by CapitaLand said third-quarter distributable income rose 3.2% to $13 million from a year earlier. CapitaRetail China was unchanged at $1.24.

Osim International (OSIL.SI) said on Tuesday its third quarter net profit surged 86% to $13 million, helped by higher margins even though its revenue fell 5% to $116.7 million.

Goodland Group (GOOD SP): The real-estate company said it will raise net proceeds of $4.3 million by selling 31.88 million shares at 14.05 cents in a placement. Goodland, which was suspended from trading yesterday, surged 9.4% to 17.5 cents on Oct 18.

Keppel T&T (KTEL.SI) said its third quarter net profit rose 20% to $15.7 million from $13 million a year earlier although its revenue dropped 5% to $28.2 million due to the winding down of its network engineering business.

BH Global Marine (BHGM.SI) said it will issue 30 million Taiwan depository receipts at NT$17 ($0.72) each, representing 60 million of its shares. The firm’s TDRs will be listed on the Taiwan stock exchange on Oct 20.

United Overseas Bank (UOB SP): Singapore’s second-biggest lender was cut to “neutral” from “buy” at Nomura Holdings Inc., which lowered its share-price estimate to $21.30 from $22.80. Its shares increased 1% to $18.90.

Sembcorp Marine, whose share-price estimate was raised to $5.40 from $4.25, gained 1.3% to $4.56. Sembcorp Industries, whose share-price estimate was raised to $5.70 from $4.60, rose 0.7% to $4.63.

Sembcorp Industries (SCI SP): The conglomerate and its unit Sembcorp Marine (SMM SP) were raised to “outperform” from “neutral” at Credit Suisse Group AG, which cited the outlook for orders as the recovery in the jack-up rig market strengthens.