JAKARTA STOCKS TRADE SLIGHTLY LOWER

Jakarta, Jan. 18 (ANTARA) - The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) here on Monday morning got off to a weak start as investors were cautious in entering the market.

The BEI index went down 3.692 points or 0.14 percent to 2,643.299 points, and the LQ-45 index fell 1.490 point or 0.25 percent to 519.883 points.

Investors were waiting for the US economic data, especially the Fed's plan to increase its key interest rate, according to Alfiansyah, a research analyst of PT Sinarmas Securities.

"We only watch the market and have not conducted normal activities," he said.

Investors tended to wait for the emergence of factors which could boost the market, he said.

Therefore, he was optimistic that the BEI index was predicted to reach the level of around 2,640.00 to 2,657.00 points.

He also believed that the BEI index still had a chance to move upward further as investors, especially foreigners, were still active in the market.

Among top losers at the BEI were Gudang Garam shares that fell Rp250 to Rp23,250, Indo Tambang Mega shares that plunged Rp250 to Rp23,250, United Tractor shares that went down Rp150 to Rp18,300, Astra International shares that lost Rp150 to Rp36,050, P Gas shares that declined Rp50 to Rp3,775, Telkom shares that weakened Rp50 to Rp9,400, Inco shares that slumped to Rp50 to Rp3,775, and Bumi shares that decreased Rp50 to Rp2,722.