By Bernice Bong

SINGAPORE - The market inched up in opening trade on Wednesday after Wall Street rose to a fresh 17-month high overnight following news that the Federal Reserve held benchmark rates near zero.

The key Straits Times Index added 8.51 points or 0.29 per cent to 2,904.94. In the broader market, gainers beat losers 20 to 3 in a volume of 109.6 million shares valued at $71.7 million.

Top advancers included Qingmei, UOB, Keppel Corp, Vicom, Haw Par and Ho Bee.