<div id="readability-page-1"><div>[SINGAPORE] Singapore stocks closed higher on Friday (Apr 10), capping the week on a firmer note.The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.3 per cent, or 12.33 points, to 4,989.41, bringing its gain to 0.7 per cent from the previous week’s close on Apr 2.The three local banks ended in positive territory. DBS was up 0.3 per cent, or S$0.15, at S$57.35. OCBC climbed 1.3 per cent, or S$0.28, to S$22.47, and UOB edged up 0.2 per cent, or S$0.09, to S$37.39.Singapore Exchange was the top performer on the blue-chip index, rising 3.8 per cent, or S$0.78, to S$21.09.DFI Retail Group was the worst-performing STI constituent, dropping 4.9 per cent, or US$0.22, to US$4.29.The iEdge Singapore Next 50 Index gained 2.5 per cent, or 36.78 points, to 1,503.21. Within the index, Wee Hur led the gainers, jumping 7.4 per cent, or S$0.05, to S$0.73, while Sheng Siong was the biggest decliner, falling 3.1 per cent, or S$0.10, to S$3.09.Across the broader market, gainers outnumbered losers 380 to 201, with 4.4 billion securities worth S$1.9 billion traded.Regional markets also ended higher. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.6 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.8 per cent, South Korea’s Kospi advanced 1.4 per cent, and Malaysia’s FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI added 0.3 per cent.“Asian equities pushed higher into the close, extending their first weekly gain since the Middle East conflict began,” on Feb 28, said Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management, in a Friday note.“As the week closes, the tone is constructive but fragile. This is not a market celebrating resolution; it is a market renting optimism into the weekend, part conviction, part mechanics, fully aware that the bill gets settled when the screens light up again,” he added.</div></div>

Singapore stocks rose 0.3% on Friday, with the Straits Times Index closing at 4,989.41, marking a weekly gain of 0.7%. Local banks performed well, with DBS up 0.3%, OCBC up 1.3%, and UOB up 0.2%. Singapore Exchange led blue-chip gains, rising 3.8%, while DFI Retail Group fell 4.9%. The iEdge Singapore Next 50 Index increased by 2.5%. Overall, gainers outnumbered losers 380 to 201, with 4.4 billion securities traded. Regional markets also saw gains, reflecting a cautious optimism in Asian equities amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Singapore stocks edge up 0.2% on Friday to end week higher