Singapore shares closed 0.45 percent higher on Thursday, supported by views that the recent run of weak global economic data will encourage major central banks to keep or deepen their monetary stimulus to bolster growth.

The growing expectations of a European Central Bank rate cut helped offset growth concerns highlighted by U.S. durable goods posting their biggest drop in seven months in March and the survey showing that German business sentiment fell in April, below the most bearish forecasts.

Recent disappointing data in the United States, Europe and China have fueled bets of a spring global slowdown for a third straight year and forced central banks to take action.

Investors will watch closely the U.S. government's report on gross domestic product due on Friday, which is expected to show the economy grew at a 3.0 percent annual rate in the first quarter, rebounding from a 0.4 percent gain in the final three months of 2012.

SIAS Research said "we could see the index consolidating around current levels with the immediate support still pegged at 3,270 points," adding that below that level, the next support is established at the 3,230 points and resistance remains pegged at the 3,300 points psychological level.

Phillip Securities Research said " Straits Times Index continued to consolidate in a tight range. Consistent with our earlier guidance, Straits Times Index challenged and closedjust a tad - above the 3,320 points level. Next key resistance will be the psychological 3,400 points hurdle; key support pegged at 3,250 points."

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index rose 15 points to 3, 337.71 points. Trading volume was 2.17 billion shares worth 1.71 billion Singapore dollars. Advancers outnumbered decliners 244 to 191, while 509 stocks did not move.

Courts Asia dropped 2 percent to 96 Singapore cents. It has issued 125 million Singapore dollars of 4.75 percent fixed rate notes due 2016. The net proceeds will be used for repaying existing borrowings and financing general corporate purposes of the company.

CapitaMalls Asia jumped 3.6 percent to 2.04 Singapore dollars. The shopping mall owner and developer said first quarter net profit rose 9.6 percent to 73.2 million Singapore dollars from a year earlier, citing higher revenue from new projects in Singapore and China.

United Engineers inched up 0.3 percent to 3.06 Singapore dollars. It has extended the deadline for WBL Corporation shareholders and bondholders to accept its takeover offer to May 10.

Among top gainers, Fraser and Neave rebounded 4.4 percent to 8. 15 Singapore dollars, while Jardine Matheson became one of the top losers by falling 2.6 percent to 66.52 U.S. dollars. (1 U.S. dollar equals to 1.24 Singapore dollars) Endi

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