Singapore: Shares close up 0.4%

The Singapore market finished 0.4 per cent higher on Friday after unexpectedly strong economic growth figures out of the US, with the Straits Times Index advancing 10.51 points to 2,955.94.

Despite climbing in the last two trading sessions of the week, the blue-chip index ended 0.5 per cent lower than it was the previous Friday.

The Singapore market's gain was mirrored by regional bourses, with Tokyo climbing 3 per cent, Shanghai jumping 4.8 per cent and Seoul advancing 1.6 per cent. Hong Kong, however, dropped 1 per cent.

About 1.98 billion shares worth S$1.44 billion in total changed hands here, which worked out to an average unit price of S$0.73 per share.

The most actively traded stock was offshore services firm Ezra Holdings, which rose S$0.008 to S$0.122 with 378.9 million shares changing hands. Other actives included Noble Group and Jaya Holdings.

Gainers outnumbered losers 277 to 189, or about three up for every two down.