SINGAPORE (June 19): Singapore shares ended slightly higher at the close of trading today.

Most other Asian bourses also ended in positive territory bolstered by overnight gains on Wall Street, which saw the Nasdaq Composite Index closing at a record high.

Conspicuously though, Mainland Chinese markets plummeted, potentially entering a phase of correction after having more than doubled in the past 12 months.

There was also conjecture that investors sold shares ahead of an active initial public offering market in China.

The Straits Times Index rose 0.02% to 3,300.96.

Some 1.37 billion shares worth $1.32 billion changed hands, compared with 1.11 billion shares worth $866.5 million yesterday.

Market breadth was positive, with gainers outpacing decliners 242 to 179.

City Developments, Hongkong Land Holdings, Singapore Telecommunications, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, and DBS Group Holdings ended among the most active stocks in the market in terms of value traded.

Among top gainers, Ley Choon Group leapt 11.7% to 6.7 cents. The builder of underground utilities and road works has clinched a $24.8 million contract from the Changi Airport Group to resurface its taxiways and install new LED airfield lighting.

KrisEnergy gained 2.3% to 44.5 cents. The oil and gas exploration company struck oil in three wells at the Nong Yao field in the G11/48 licence in the Gulf of Thailand.

Among decliners, Jardine Cycle & Carriage fell 1.2% to $35.61. The automotive group plans to raise about $1.03 billion in a rights issue, with about 39.5 million new shares to be sold at an issue price of $26 each.

Super Group dipped 0.9% to $1.12. Its unit Owl Beverage Specialist is the newly-appointed sole distributor of Caffè Cagliari products in Asia.

CNA Group last traded at 2.6 cents on June 18. The master systems integrator requested for a trading halt on its shares pending announcements to be issued.