Singapore equities snapped two sessions of declines on Thursday, in line with the rally in global stocks after Fed chair Janet Yellen signalled gradual monetary tightening.
The U.S. economy is healthy enough for the Fed to raise rates and begin winding down its massive bond portfolio, although low inflation and a low neutral rate may leave the central bank with diminished leeway, Yellen said on Wednesday.
Asian shares rallied, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rising 1.2 percent to its highest since May 2015.
Sentiment was upbeat after the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at an all-time high overnight.
At 0611 GMT, the Straits Times Index gained 0.55 percent or 18 points to 3,226. It ended 0.31 percent lower on Wednesday, taking the year-to-date gains to 11.4 percent.
Lenders topped the gainers list: United Overseas Bank added 1.3 percent, DBS Group rose 1.1 percent while Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp was up 0.3 percent.
Shares of Global Logistic Properties were halted from Singapore trading pending the release of an announcement.
Commodity trader Noble Group rose for a third session, gaining nearly 2 percent after Goldilocks Investment Company raised its stake in the firm.
About 1.5 billion shares worth S$579 million changed hands, with gainers outnumbering losers 228 to 157.
