Singapore shares ended lower Friday, tracking other regional markets and with investors booking profits on gains made earlier this week.

The benchmark 30-share Straits Times Index closed down 0.8%, or 24.78 points, at 3,185.42, falling below the psychologically important 3,200 level after spending two days above the mark. Still, the 30-STI ended the week up 0.4%.

Volume was lower at 1.18 billion shares compared with 1.51 billion shares Thursday. Losers outnumbered gainers 311 to 148.

“Penny stocks were in favor. This is usually the case when people are short on ideas,” a trader at a foreign brokerage said.

Most of the stocks that saw bigger declines Friday were those that had outperformed the market recently.

Sembcorp Industries fell 2.3% to $5.01, the biggest loser among index stocks . City Developments fell 1.2% to $12.80, giving up some of its recent gains.

Commodities stocks declined. Palm planter Golden Agri-Resources fell 2.5% to $0.770 while supply chain manager Noble Group declined 1.9% to $2.12 while rival Olam International shed 1.9% to $3.10.