BEI INDEX OPENS HIGHER EARLY MONDAY

Jakarta, April 13 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) opened 3.30 percent higher following the smooth and peaceful implementation of the legislative election last week.

The BEI index surged 48.331 points or 3.30 percent to 1,514.081 and the LQ index gained 11.311 points or 4.02 percent to 300.395.
The smooth implementation of the recent legislative election triggered a positive sentiment for the Indonesian capital market, Ahmad Riyadi, a broker of PT Millennium Danatama Sekuritas, said here on Monday.
Investors bought shares from almost all sectors, following three days of holiday including for the legislative elections, he said.
"We are optimistic the market will continue to be positive during this morning trading, after witnessing that almost all shares have gained," Riyadi said.
Besides, gains at the regional stocks also contributed positive sentiment for the Indonesian capital market, he said.
Domestic shares which advances at BEI included Astra Agro Lestari shares which added Rp950 to Rp15,400, Astra International shares which increased Rp800 to Rp12,900 per share, United Tractor shares which went up Rp450 to Rp7,050.
State telecommunication company PT Telkom shares gained Rp400 to Rp7,300, Indosat shares advanced Rp300 to Rp5,950, PT Bukit Asam shares jumped Rp200 to Rp7,600, BRI shares surged Rp175 to Rp 3,725, Bank BCA shares went up Rp100 to Rp3,200, and cigarette company Gudang Garam shares rose Rp100 to Rp3,975 per share.
Ahmad Riyadi believed that the BEI index had a big chance to further increase in the morning trading.
The BEI index was expected to pass the figure of 1,600 points, given the strong positive sentiment in the stock market, he said.
The Indonesian currency at the Jakarta interbank spot market early Monday traded at Rp11,185/11,200 per dollar, up 165 points from Rp11,350/11,365 in the market's close last weekend.