The Singapore market rose on Friday, with the benchmark Straits Times Index ahead by 26.54 points, or 0.84 per cent, to 3,173.66 at 2.20pm.

Some 1.22 billion shares worth $528 million had changed hands, and there were 231 risers compared to 107 stocks that declined.

There was an element of caution ahead of much-awaited monthly jobless data from the United States, due out later in the day.

But sentiment was boosted by Thursday's assurances from the Bank of England and the European Central Bank that their stimulus measures would be remaining in place.