BEI INDEX OPENS HIGHER ON REGIONAL BOURSE GAINS

Jakarta, Nov. 9 (ANTARA) - The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) here on Tuesday morning opened slightly higher on regional bourse gains.

The Indonesian stocks went up 23.587 points or 0.94 percent to 2,430.618 points and the LQ-45 index surged 5.664 points or 1.20 percent to 478.251 points.

Gains at regional bourses bolstered investors to buy blue chip and small-cap shares, according to Krisna Dwi Setiawan, a domestic stock exchange analyst of PT Valbury Asia Securities.

Investors ignored the ongoing conflict between the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the national police, he said, adding that they, however, hoped the government could deal with the problem soon.

Among the top gainers at the BEI were Astra International shares which rose Rp550 to Rp32,150, Astra Agro Lestari shares that increased Rp300 to Rp22,500, United Tractor shares that gained Rp50 to Rp15,750, Telkom shares that added Rp100 to Rp8,750, Indosat shares that advanced Rp50 to Rp5,100 and Gudang Garam shares that went up Rp50 to Rp17,000 per share. Meanwhile, mining companies Antam, Medco and Inco respectively gained Rp50 per share.

The rupiah, Indonesia's currency, traded Rp9,425-Rp9,435 per US dollar, down 10 points from Rp9,415-Rp9,425 per US dollar at the market's close a day earlier.