SINGAPORE, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Singapore shares closed 0.44 percent higher on Tuesday as investors awaited the first-quarter corporate earnings reporting season due to begin later this week.

U.S. markets closed at fresh all-time highs on Monday as investors weighed the start of corporate earnings season and an influx of bond supply. Treasury bond yields were mostly higher as the Treasury auctioned three- and ten-year notes received lukewarm response compared to the previous sales of the securities.

Meanwhile, crude oil prices were almost flat in Asia as traders continued to hesitate pushing the price beyond the mark of 60 U.S. dollars per barrel.

DBS Group Research said that technically, the support levels of the Straits Times Index are 3,160 points followed by 3,115 points, while resistance levels are 3,230 points followed by 3,280 points.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index rose 13.97 points to 3,187.9 points. The trading volume was 2.09 billion shares worth 1.23 billion Singapore dollars. Advancers outnumbered decliners 285 to 192.

Jardine Matheson rose 1.09 percent to 65.07 U.S. dollars. Its acquisition of 15 percent stake in Jardine Strategic at 33 U.S. dollars per share in cash will become effective on Wednesday. Following the deal, it expects to propose a resolution to implement the cancellation of the cross-shareholding in Jardine Matheson through a reduction of capital at the annual shareholder meeting next year. The simplification will result in a single holding company with a conventional ownership structure. This will provide an increase in its operational efficiency and financial flexibility, while delivering a material enhancement in its earning per share.

Among top gainers, DBS Group Holdings rose 0.52 percent to 28.84 Singapore dollars, while Venture Corporation became one of the top losers by falling 0.25 percent to 20.23 Singapore dollars. (1 U.S. dollar equals 1.34 Singapore dollars) Enditem

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