Indonesian Shares Fall Slightly

Jakarta, August 15 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian shares fell slightly when the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) began trading this morning to follow the rupiah weakening against the US dollar. The index dropped 5.79 points or 0.14 percent to 4,115.77 with the rupiah losing more value to trade at 9,485 from 9,480 per dollar earlier. Analysts had predicted the fall on lack of positive sentiments with BEI to have only two more trading days left before long Idul Fitri holidays in this predominantly Muslim country. Panin Sekuritas researcher Purwoko Sartono said the BEI index still is shored up positive sentiment from Europe with economic growth data of Germany and France higher than expected. The news came as a good boost amid fears of slowdown of Asian economies mainly Japan and China, Purwoko said. Japan has announced a slowdown in growth and a lower growth is expected for the Chinese economy, he said. Japan recorded a growth of 1.4 percent in the first quarter lower than projection of 2.3 percent on weak exports and consumer spending. The slowdown gave rise to expectation that Bank of Japan would announce monetary stimulus.