BEI INDEX OPENS SLIGHTLY HIGHER

Jakarta, Dec. 7 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) here on Monday morning opened slightly higher on small-cap share buying.

The BEI index went up 2.698 points or 0.11 percent to 2,514.243 and the LQ-45 index rose 0,12 point or 0.58 percent to 498.264.

The stock market was still positive because investors still bought shares although selective, according to Alfiansyah, a stock broker of PT Sinarmas Securities.

Investors still consider Indonesia more potential and profitable market than other Asian countries' markets, he said.

Indonesia might enjoy better economic growth next year especially because the global financial crisis had eased, he said.

Telkom shares surged Rp50 to Rp9,300, United Tractor shares rose Rp50 to Rp15,300, Astra International shares gained Rp50 to Rp33,250, Medco shares added Rp50 to Rp2,700 and Astra Agro Lestari share advanced Rp200 to Rp24,200.

The rupiah weakened against the US dollar in the Jakarta interbank spot market here on Monday morning, as investors again released the local unit.

Meanwhile, The Indonesian currency traded Rp9,445-Rp9,455 per US dollar, down 35 points from Rp9,410-Rp9,425 at the market's close last weekend.