Singapore shares extend gains, up 0.7%

SINGAPORE shares closed higher on Monday with the key Straits Times Index finishing 0.66 per cent or 21.56 points higher at 3,263.90.

The gains were chalked up amid extended optimism from the previous week's showing; the benchmark STI rose to a post-pandemic high of 3,2425 last Friday (Nov 5), buoyed by better-than-expected earnings from Singapore's banking trio and easing of border restrictions.

Some 1.43 billion units worth S$1.30 billion were traded. Gainers outpaced losers with 246 counters up and 216, down. Monday's gains were led by banking stocks DBS and UOB as well as Singapore Airlines and Genting Singapore.