SINGAPORE - Local stocks closed higher on Dec 30 as regional markets posted mixed results, with investors scaling back activity ahead of the New Year holiday.

The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) gained 0.5 per cent to finish at 4,655.38. Meanwhile, the iEdge Singapore Next 50 Index rose 0.01 per cent to 1,451.49.

Across the broader market, gainers outnumbered decliners 299 to 203, after 1.4 billion securities worth S$1.1 billion changed hands.