Singapore stocks ended little changed on Friday, dragged lower by lenders such as United Overseas Bank on bad loans worries but gains in other Asian equities capped losses for domestic stocks.
Asian shares edged up as investors assessed the latest news on U.S. tax-cut plans and looked ahead to Friday's American jobs report.
Apple suppliers gained in Asian trading after its forecast for holiday sales topped estimates, a likely positive for its many suppliers scattered across Asia.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan inched up 0.15 percent, to be just a whisker from its highest since late 2007. With Japan closed for a holiday, there may be little direction in Asian trading.
The Straits Times Index rose 0.05 percent or 2 points to 3,382. It ended 0.33 percent lower on Thursday, taking the year-to-date performance to about 17 percent.
Overseas-Chinese Banking Corp gained 0.1 percent, United Overseas Bank dropped 0.2 percent and DBS Group Holdings fell 0.04 percent.
Utility services provider Sembcorp Industries slumped 2.4 percent after its net profit fell 37.7 percent in the third-quarter, hurt by weak performance of its marine business and higher finance costs.
United Overseas Bank ended slightly lower after an increase in bad loans overshadowed upbeat quarterly net profit.
Media content provider mm2 Asia said net profit more-than-doubled in the second quarter, boosted by growth at its events production and concert promotion business. However, its shares lost about 2.7 percent.
But Manulife U.S. Real Estate Investment Trust gained 1.1 percent after it reported a better-than-expected quarterly distribution per share (DPU), powered by higher net property income and lower interest costs.
About 2 billion shares worth S$936 million changed hands, with gainers outnumbering losers 211 to 207.
