Singapore stocks closed slightly higher on Thursday, tracking a cautious start across Asian markets in the wake of volatility on Wall Street overnight.

The Straits Times Index, a key benchmark for the Singapore Exchange, ranged between 4,386.20 and 4,416.27 throughout the day. It ended the session at 4,416.27, up 22.35 points or 0.5% compared to Wednesday's close.

In economic news, Singapore's MAS core inflation, which excludes the cost of accommodation and private transport, edged up 0.4% in September from 0.3% in August, according to a release by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Ministry of Trade and Industry on Thursday.

In corporate news, Frasers Centrepoint Trust (SGX:J69U) booked a marginally higher distribution per unit (DPU) of SG$0.06059 in the fiscal second half from SG$0.06020 a year earlier.

Emperador (SGX:EMI, PSE:EMI) affiliate, The Andresons Group, sold 3 million common shares in the company to Alliance Global.

Lonza (SGX:O6Z) confirmed its full-year guidance after a strong third-quarter showing for its contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business, according to a Thursday filing with the Singapore Exchange.

STI up 0.5%; Olam up 4%; Centurion up 3%; Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, Seatrium, UOL up 2%; SingPost, Singtel up 1%.