SINGAPORE, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) — Singapore stocks finished higher on Friday, with the benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) up 5.44 points, or 0.16 percent, to close at 3,370.59.

A total of 1.07 billion shares changed hands with turnover of 556.9 million Singapore dollars (445.5 million U.S. dollars). Gainers outnumbered decliners 279 to 154, while 508 others finished unchanged. The STI index lost 0.96 points, or 0.03 percent, to close at 3, 365.15 on Wednesday.