Singapore stocks finish higher in quiet trading

THE Straits Times Index on Monday managed a 17.34 points rise to 3,246.35 in a quiet but firm session in which a low 1.9 billion units worth S$858 million were traded. The index's rise was in tandem with gains in the Dow futures and in Hong Kong, where the Hang Seng Index rose 0.6 per cent.

Also helping was Friday's better-than-expected US jobs report that provided some assurance that economic growth in the United States is back on track.

However, although there were 249 rises versus 193 falls, excluding warrants, brokers described the session as featureless and lacking in excitement.

"It's been like this for many weeks now," said a dealer. "If you're not in certain stocks, then there's not much for you to do or look forward to."