Singapore shares were little changed on Thursday, with the Straits Times Index (STI) dipping 2.81 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 3,140.44.

Dealers said the day's tepid session was a surprise as Wall Street surged 0.66 per cent overnight. The STI's flat display was likely due to regional sluggishness, they added.

Some 2.5 billion shares worth $885.7 million changed hands.

Key regional markets closed mixed, with Japan down 0.39 per cent but Hong Kong up 0.37 per cent.

Here, a total of 19 of the 30 STI component stocks ended lower, with six higher and five unchanged.

The gainers included Keppel Corp, up nine cents to $10.94, while Singapore Exchange was among the losers, sliding eight cents to $7.04.