BEI INDEX OPENS NEARLY 2,600 POINTS HIGHHER

Jakarta, Dec. 17 (ANTARA) - The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) here on Thursday morning opened higher on regional bourse gains.

The BEI index rose 0.69 percent or 17.612 points to 2,538.107 points, and the LQ-45 index went up 3.732 points or 0.79 percent to 512.968 points.

The Indonesian index was expected to reach the level of 2,600 points at the end of this year, according to Michael Andi Surya, a research analyst of PT Valbury Asia Securities.

Astra International shares advanced Rp900 to Rp35,940, Telkom shares added Rp350 to Rp10,200, Bukit Asama shares rose Rp200 to Rp17,700 per share, and Astra Agro Lestari share increased Rp150 to Rp24,200.