The huge US$1.9 trillion (S$2.52 trillion) Biden stimulus package spurred investors to push the local market higher for the third straight session yesterday. The optimism sent the benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) up 0.16 per cent, or 4.87 points, to 3,004.87 with gainers trumping losers 289 to 202 on trade of 4.2 billion securities worth $1.54 billion. US President-elect Joe Biden's bumper economic rescue plan did little to lift sentiment elsewhere in Asia. With the exception of Hong Kong, benchmarks in Tokyo, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta ended in negative territory. Wall Street also ended modestly lower on Thursday. IG senior market strategist Pan Jingyi said: "To some extent, most of this optimism had been priced in, but the huge figures had also invited some contemplation as to whether the necessary bipartisan support will materialise." Oanda senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley said the excitement is being tempered by challenges of passing the package through Congress. The best performer on the STI was Jardine Strategic Holding, gaining 3 per cent to US$27.04. Transport-related Covid-19 recovery plays fared relatively well, emerging among the top 10 stocks on the blue-chi...