Singapore shares finished nearly flat amid quiet trading on Tuesday, with the benchmark Straits Times Index edging up a mere 1.6 points to 3,205.54.

Just 2 billion shares worth $808.8 million changed hands.

Regional markets closed mixed, with Japan up 0.17 per cent and Australia 0.77 per cent higher. But Hong Kong slid 0.65 per cent, while South Korea slipped 0.56 per cent.

Here, 17 of the 30 STI component counters finished in the black, with 11 losers and two unchanged.

The gainers included commodity trader Noble Group which surged 5.5 cents to $1.045, while oil rig maker Keppel Corp was among the losers, tumbling 10 cents to $10.79.