Chile stocks make little gains

30 Jul, 2006

Chilean stocks gained for a fifth session in quiet trade on Friday, in line with other regional markets. The IPSA blue chip index rose 0.66 percent to 2,133.39 points while the broader IGPA index climbed 0.54 percent to 9,908.62 points, preliminary closing figures showed.
"The week has been positive. It's financial reporting season and in general we've had good news," said Rodrigo Andaur, an analyst with FIT Research. "And today there was news that US growth figures were lower than expected, which gave hope that interest rate increases will be ending, which has been good for markets."
Diversified retailer Cencosud led blue chip trade value as its stock surged 2.77 percent in late trade to 1,300 pesos a share. Chile's large retailers well begin reporting next week.
Forestry and paper products producer CMPC advanced 2.05 percent to 14,900 pesos a share. South American energy group Enersis, owned by Endesa Spain, rose 0.44 percent to 128.51 pesos a share, while locally owned power generator Colbun gained 0.57 percent to 89.75 pesos a share.
Leading power generator Endesa Chile, an Enersis unit, partially offset electric sector gains as its stock slipped 0.62 percent to 504 pesos a share. Local analysts said energy stocks levelled off because their sharp rise prior to the quarterly earnings reports had already anticipated strong reported performance. "In the coming final two weeks of the reporting season, earnings results should continue to have a positive impact on the bourse," Andaur said. The peso rose 0.19 percent to 539.00/539.30 per dollar compared to Thursday's close at 540.00/540.50.

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