Singapore share prices closed 0.37 percent higher on Monday in cautious trading as investors awaited this week's release of key US economic data, dealers said. The blue chip Straits Times Index gained 10.15 points to 2,733.45 on volume of 760 million shares worth 863 million Singapore dollars (609 million US).
Losing issues edged gainers 255 to 212 with 921 unchanged. US home sales data for July was due for release early this week. Other data expected include consumer confidence for August, July durable goods orders and second-quarter GDP. The releases could lead to market volatility, analysts from CIMB warned.
They said it could be "another tough and frustrating week" for holders of equities on continued worries over the health of the global economy and how much longer Wall Street's credit crisis will persist.
Property stocks were mixed. CapitaLand ended down 13 cents at 4.32 Singapore dollars, Keppel Land fell two cents to 3.91 but City Developments rose 30 cents to 10.28. Singapore Airlines rose 32 cents to 15.20 and Singapore Telecommunications closed six cents higher at 3.50. In the banking sector, DBS was 10 cents higher at 17.78, UOB rose eight cents to 19.18 and OCBC was unchanged at 8.13.