SINGAPORE: Singapore shares closed 1.32 per cent higher Monday with flag carrier Singapore Airlines among the gainers ahead of the release of its second-quarter earnings results, dealers said.

The blue-chip Straits Times Index advanced 35.17 points to 2,693.38. Volume totalled 1.24 billion shares worth S$1.24 billion (US$892 million) and there were 348 rising issues, 147 decliners while 751 were flat.

Singapore Airlines closed 26 cents higher at S$14.24 ahead of the Tuesday release of its earnings for the second quarter to September. SIA posted its first quarterly loss in six years during the April-June period.

"Management guidance on whether or not premium travel is picking up will be crucial for injecting confidence into the market," Daiwa said in a research note.

For the banks, DBS Group Holdings gained 34 cents to S$13.72, while United Overseas Bank climbed 24 cents to S$18 and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp was five cents up at S$7.90.

- AFP/yb