Singapore shares rose modestly by afternoon trading on Friday, with the benchmark Straits Times Index inching up 6.9 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 3,242.6 by 12.50pm.

Stocks that rose outnumbered those that fell 191 to 120, while 489 counters were unchanged.

A total of 1.37 billion shares changed hands to the tune of $473.7 million by midday.

Top gainers included City Developments and UOB, both up 13 cents to $10.72 and $21.63 respectively. Jardine C&C was among the top losers, shedding 45 cents to $41.28.