SINGAPORE, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Singapore shares closed 0.51 percent higher on Friday, but many investors were cautious ahead of a delayed vote on President Donald Trump's healthcare bill that would go ahead later in the day.
Investors regarded the vote as test for the Trump presidency that could show whether it can muster the backing needed to push through fiscal measures central to its economic agenda. Meanwhile, oil prices remained below 50 U.S. dollars per barrel on investor concerns that supply cuts of major oil producers were not yet reducing record U.S. crude inventories.
Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index rose 15.97 points to 3,142.90 points. Trading volume was 2.25 billion shares worth 1.1 billion Singapore dollars. Advancers outnumbered decliners 255 to 200.
Mapletree Industrial Trust rose 2.6 percent to 1.75 Singapore dollars. It is issuing 100 million Singapore dollars in principal amount of 3.16 percent fixed rate notes due 2024. The proceeds arising from the issuance of the notes will be used towards refinancing the existing borrowings.
SembCorp Industries shed 0.3 percent to 3.12 Singapore dollars. It planned to conduct a feasibility study in Vietnam to see whether the country's Quang Tri province can be a suitable site to house the next Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP). The VSIP joint venture portfolio now has seven parks.
Among top gainers, Jardine Cycle and Carriage rose 1.7 percent to 44.98 Singapore dollars, whereas Jardine Matheson became one of the top losers by falling 0.5 percent to 66 U.S. dollars. (1 U.S. dollar equals to 1.40 Singapore dollars)
