Singapore shares inched up by midday on Wednesday, with the benchmark Straits Times Index gaining 5.4 points, or 0.17 per cent, to 3,259.2 as at 12.30pm.

A total of 1.2 billion shares worth $442 million changed hands in morning trade.

Stocks that rose outnumbered those that fell 158 to 124, with 522 counters unchanged.

Among the top gainers was Jardine Cycle & Carriage, up 73 cents to $42.57, while top losers included DBS, which shed 10 cents to $16.67.