Singapore share prices closed 0.93 percent higher Friday on gains in technology stocks following an upbeat outlook for the sector due to rising global demand, dealers said.
The Straits Times Index (STI) rose 21.53 points to 2,332.52. Volume traded was 856 million shares valued at 905 million Singapore dollars (536 million US), up from 746 million shares worth 716 million dollars Thursday.
Gainers outpaced losers 344 to 157 and 1,074 shares were unchanged.
"The technology sector is behaving as expected. It is still going strong, contributing to the rebound in the STI," said a dealer from a local brokerage.
Dealers said that next week players will likely take their cue from Wall Street, in the absence of local corporate news ahead of the Christmas holidays.
Among technology counters, Venture Corp rose 60 cents to 14.40, Chartered Semiconductor climbed three cents to 1.30, STATS ChipPAC added three cents to 1.16 and Creative Technology edged up 20 cents to 14.10.
A forward-looking business survey released Friday showed the electronics index rose for the fifth consecutive month in November to 55.4 points, meaning the sector is in an expansion mode.
Electronics items like semiconductors and computer disc drives are Singapore's main exports.
Blue chip stocks were mixed, with ST Engineering up two cents to 2.68 and Singapore Press Holdings added six cents to 4.62.