BEI INDEX OPENS HIGHER ON BLUE CHIP GAINS THURSDAY

Jakarta, April 2 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) here early Thursday opened 1.02 percent higher as investors hunted for Astra Group's blue chip shares.

The BEI index went up 14.836 points or 1.021 percent to 1,426.537 and the LQ index rose to 292.725, up 3.314 points or 1.15 percent.
Alfiansyah, stock analyst of PT Sinarmas Sekuritas, said here on Thursday the BEI index strengthened thanks to gains enjoyed by Astra Group such as Astra International, Astra Agro Lestari and United Tractor. Banking industry shares including BCA, Mandiri and BRI also rose.
The market's sentiment was positive following news on the March 2009 inflation rate at 0.22 percent, which was relatively stable compared to last month's 0.21 percent, he said.
"We are optimistic that the BEI index this morning will further strengthen as the market's sentiment is still positive," he said.
A rally of the Dow Jones index also helped trigger a similar development in regional bourses, including the BEI, he said.
The Indonesian currency early Thursday traded at Rp11,540/11,570 per US dollar, up 140 points from Rp11,680/11,690 per US dollar in the market's close a day earlier.