BEI INDEX OPENS SLIGHTLY HIGHER EARLY WEDNESDAY

Jakarta, April 15 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) opened 0.95 percent higher early Wednesday on the market's positive sentiment following the smooth and peaceful implementation of the recent legislative elections.

The BEI index surged 14.909 points or 0.95 percent to 1,584.454 and the LQ index went up 3.308 points or 1.08 percent to 315.424.
The stock market was still positive as investors continued to hunt for blue chip shares, according to Ahmad Riyadi, a stock market analyst of PT Millienium Danatama Securities.
The positive sentiment reflected euphoria following the smooth implementation of the legislative elections last April 9, 2009, he said.
Investors were optimistic that the shares which were traded, could advance further, following an influx of foreign funds into Indonesia's bonds in short term, he said.
The market players were also waiting for financial reports of companies' annual meeting, which tended to have good performances, he said.
Therefore, he believed that the Indonesian stocks would again strengthen so that the BEI index might achieve the level of 1,600 points.
Astra Agro Lestari shares went up Rp300 to Rp15,250, Astra International jumped Rp100 to Rp15,600, Telkom shares rose Rp100 to Rp7,550, Gudang Garam shares added Rp50 to Rp6,400, and Inco shares advanced Rp175 to Rp3,200.