Singapore share prices closed 0.42 per cent higher on Friday but ended below the 2,900 level for the second straight day, in the absence of leads and an atmosphere of uncertainty, dealers said.

The blue-chip Straits Times Index closed up 12.09 points at 2,892.54. On Thursday, the index closed below 2,900 for the first time since March.

Volume was a slim 879 million shares worth 913 million Singapore dollars.

Falling issues edged risers 294 to 226, with 888 unchanged.

In the banking sector, DBS finished two cents higher at $18.68, UOB dropped 12 cents to $18.48, and OCBC was three cents down at $8.05.

Property developer CapitaLand ended up seven cents at $5.79, while peer City Developments gained 24 cents to $10.90.

Singapore Airlines rose 18 cents to $14.10 but Singapore Telecommunications fell two cents to $3.47. -- AFP