Local shares made modest gains despite exuberance across the region, as most markets were boosted by the incoming Federal Reserve chief's support for continued massive stimulus.

Ms Janet Yellen, who is slated to replace Ben Bernanke as Fed chief early next year, made clear in comments on Thursday night that she is prepared to stand by the central bank's extraordinary efforts to pump up the world's largest economy when she is chairman, if that is what it needs.

The local benchmark Straits Times Index gained just 10.19 points, or 0.32 per cent, to close at 3,201.27.

Meanwhile, Tokyo surged 2 per cent while Hong Kong and Shanghai rose 1.7 per cent.

Trading was rather muted at home, with just 1.52 billion shares changing hands, worth $923.8 million.

Gainers outnumberes losers, 208 to 150.

Golden Agri Resources was the top active, rising two cents to 60.5 cents on a turnover of 127.8 million shares.