SINGAPORE - Singapore share prices closed steady Monday as investors paused for a breather after recent market gains, dealers said.

The main Straits Times Index was off 0.78 points or 0.03 percent at 2,317.17.

Volume totalled 1.06 billion shares worth 848 million Singapore dollars (583 million US) and there were 161 rising issues, 284 losers and 896 issues were flat.

"The green shoots rally has slipped into pause mode as investors await the return of fundamental drivers," said DBS Vickers strategist Yeo Kee Yan.

DBS closed 16 cents higher at 11.82, United Overseas Bank gained six cents to 14.46 and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp was one cent up at 6.61 dollars.

Singapore Airlines rose 16 cents to 12.80 and Singapore Telecommunications was down four cents at 2.97.