Singapore shares close higher, lifted by blue chips

BLUE chips led Singapore stocks to their third straight positive session on Thursday, with the Straits Times Index gaining 7.36 points, or 0.26 per cent, to close at 2,876.93.

A total of 713.1 million shares worth S$717.7 million changed hands. Losers outnumbered gainers 211 to 169, or about five down for every four up.

The three banks were among the key index movers. United Overseas Bank closed at S$18.08, up 1.1 per cent or 20 Singapore cents. OCBC Bank increased by 0.5 per cent, or four Singapore cents, to finish at S$8.67, while DBS Group headed out at S$15.27 after adding 0.4 per cent, or six Singapore cents.

The most heavily traded stock was commodity trader Noble Group, which shed 0.8 per cent, or 0.1 Singapore cent, to close at 12.8 Singapore cents.