Singapore shares close up 0.2% on Friday

SINGAPORE traders took their cue from good news both at home and abroad on Friday, but remained broadly cautious.

The Straits Times Index inched up by 7.19 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 3,577.21.

Some 2.55 billion shares were traded overall, for a value of S$1.38 billion.

Gainers beat losers 243 to 191, or five up for every four down.

Quarterly real estate figures showed growth in private home prices and office rents, while retail may be on the mend. The central bank has also reiterated its positive economic outlook for the Republic.

Casino operator Genting Singapore rose by S$0.01, or 0.85 per cent, to S$1.19, as 26.08 million shares changed hands.

But Venture Corporation was down by S$0.82, or 3.69 per cent, to S$21.40.

Otherwise, the hot stock Valuetronics finished lower by S$0.06, or 8.11 per cent, at S$0.68, on a volume of 28.8 million shares.