Singapore shares extended gains to a third session on Tuesday, led by buying in lenders such as DBS Group and United Overseas Bank.

Asian shares took a breather on Tuesday after three straight sessions of gains. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dithered either side of flat having bounced 2 percent in the past three sessions.

Investors continued their policy vigil with the Federal Reserve set to end its two-day meeting on Wednesday, while the European Central Bank meets on Thursday.

The Straits Times Index rose 0.15 percent or 5 points to 3,465. It ended 1.05 percent higher on Monday, taking the year-to-date performance to about 20 percent.