STI finishes the week 2.61% higher amid zero inflation

SINGAPORE equities bounced back into positive territory on Friday, as Asian markets closed the week awash in a tide of green.

The Straits Times Index (STI) rose by 44.76 points, or 1.28 per cent, to 3,533.22. This movement - which followed the news of an ease in inflation to zero per cent for January - took the benchmark index higher by 2.61 per cent for the week. The STI is up by 3.83 per cent for the year so far.

The ticker has been wavering around the 3,500 mark this week. Still, IG Asia market strategist Pan Jingyi cautioned that "with the volatility expected into next week, one should not be surprised to see a back and forth pacing of current levels".