Singapore shares close 5.82 points higher on broad optimism

BROAD optimism in global economies and better US earnings continued to fuel Singapore equities' staying power on Friday after it extended gains made in the past four sessions.

True to form, the benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) tracked the Dow futures which was up more than 70 points shortly before closing.

Supported by counters of heavyweights Keppel Corporation, DBS and OCBC, the index ended Friday's session at 3,340.73, up 5.82 points or 0.17 per cent even though it has yet to break the 3,354 barrier.

Turnover for the day came in at 2.5 billion units worth S$1.2 billion, or S$0.48 per share. Trading was firm with gainers beating losers 253 to 188, excluding warrants.