JAKARTA STOCKS TRADE SLIGHTLY HIGHER

Jakarta, Jan. 15 (ANTARA) - The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) here on Friday morning got off to a strong start as investors grabbed automotive shares in particular.

The BEI index went up 4.412 points or 0.16 percent to 2,648.642 points and the LQ-45 index rose 1.308 point or 0.26 percent to 522.190 points.

The Indonesian stocks were boosted by the Wall Street gains, according to Ahmad Riyadi, a research analyst of PT Millenium Danathama Securities.

He predicted that the BEI index might reach the level of between 2,650 and 2,670 points as the flow of foreign funds was slowing down.

Astra Agro Lestari shares went up Rp500 to Rp25,250, Indo Tambang Mega Lestari shares rose Rp200 to Rp34,000, Astra International shares added Rp150 to Rp35,700, United Tractor shares advanced Rp100 to Rp18,400, state telecommunication company PT Telkom shares climbed Rp50 to Rp9,400, and Gudang Garam shares strengthened Rp50 to Rp23,500 per share.

Meanwhile, the rupiah weakened against the US dollar in the Jakarta interbank spot market here on Friday morning on profit taking moves.

The Indonesian currency traded Rp9,200-Rp9,210 per US dollar, down 40 points from Rp9,160-Rp9,170 at the market's close a day earlier.