JAKARTA STOCKS OPEN HIGHER ON BNI GAINS

Jakarta, March 25 (ANTARA) - The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) here on Thursday morning got off to a strong start on state bank BNI gains.

The BEI index went up 15.249 points or 0.55 percent to 2.790 points, and the LQ-45 index rose 3.414 points or 0.64 percent to 544.073 points.

Investors, especially foreigners actively grabbed bank shares such as those of BNI and Mandiri, according to Ahmad Riyadi, a stock broker of PT Millenium Danathama Securities.

BNI shares traded at a total volume of 62.04 million worth Rp137.06 billion. BNI shares rose Rp75 to Rp2,225 per share.

Bank Mandiri shares climbed Rp200 to Rp5,500 per share, and the bank recorded a total transaction of 8.9 million worth Rp49.46 billion. Bank Mandiri posted a net profit amounting Rp7 trillion in 2009.

Riyadi was optimistic that the BEI index would pass the level of 2,800 points following rallies at regional markets.