SINGAPORE, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Singapore shares closed 0.1 percent higher on Tuesday, supported by solid Singapore's manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI).
Singapore's manufacturing PMI grew 0.3 percentage points to 52.6 in August for its twenty-fourth month of expansion.
The increase was supported by higher new orders, new exports, factory output and employment. The positive reading suggested that domestic manufacturing is holding up well against global uncertainties, such as the trade tension between the United States and China.
But the escalating international trade disputes and emergency austerity measures in Argentina still capped the gains in Singapore bourse.
Maybank-Kim Eng Research said, "Technically, underlying support for the Strait Times Index lies at 3,190 points and 3,200 points level with immediate resistance at 3,260 points."
Singapore benchmark Strait Times Index rose 3.31 points to 3,210.51 points. Trading volume was 1.35 billion shares worth 692 million Singapore dollars. Advancers outnumbered decliners 188 to 177.
ComfortDelGro inched down 0.4 percent to 2.29 Singapore dollars. Bus and train fares could rise by 4.3 percent next year under a public transport fare review formula that takes into account network capacity factor. Public transport services in Singapore accounted for 37 percent of ComfortDelgro's first-half revenue and 22 percent of operating profit.
China Everbright Water fell 1.3 percent at 38 Singapore cents. It updated that its several projects have recently commenced operation, namely: Ji'nan Huashan Waste Water Treatment Project, Ji'nan Sludge Treatment Project and Dezhou Ling County Waste Water Treatment Project Plant 2 Upgrading in Shandong Province.
Among top gainers, Jardine Matheson rose 0.1 percent to 62.60 U.S. dollars, while Jardine Cycle and Carriage became one of the top losers by falling 0.8 percent to 31.85 Singapore dollars. (1 U.S. dollar equals to 1.37 Singapore dollars)
