SINGAPORE - Local shares gained some healthy ground on Friday but failed to make up for losses earlier in the week.

The benchmark Straits Times Index rose 19.57 points, or 0.59 per cent, to close at 3,324.39.

It has slipped 0.8 per cent from a week ago.

Turnover was robust, with 1.97 billion shares worth $1.05 billion shares changing hands.

Some 183 shares rose, while 189 fell.

Penny stocks dominated the action, though Genting Singapore was also in the spotlight. It fell two cents to $1.09 on 35.9 million shares swapped.

Most other Asian bourses also closed higher. Tokyo rose 0.19 per cent, Shanghai climbed 1.32 per cent and Hong Kong added 0.71 per cent.