SINGAPORE shares rose on Wednesday as the local bourse played catch-up to the region's gains on Tuesday.

The Straits Times Index (STI) rose 8.78 points or 0.28 per cent to 3,174.03. Many Asian markets had climbed on Tuesday, when the bourse here was closed for the Hari Raya Haji public holiday.

There were lingering concerns over debt ceiling talks in the United States, ahead of the Thursday deadline to reach an agreement.

Gainers on the STI included StarHub, which added 12 cents or 2.8 per cent to close at $4.47.