Indonesian share prices closed 0.16 percent higher on Tuesday, led partly by mining firms, but profit-taking capped the rise, dealers said. The Jakarta Stock Exchange composite index added 2.880 points at 1,797.402, off a high of 1,798.623 and low of 1,786.538. Volume was 2.46 billion shares worth 2.22 trillion rupiah (240.92 million dollars).
Gainers led decliners 71 to 66, with 61 stocks unchanged. The rupiah was at 9,210/9,215 to the dollar, compared to 9,170/9,175 late Monday. Christine Salim, an analyst at Samuel Sekuritas, said the market was unable to breach the 1,800 points level because some investors opted to take quick profits on recent gains.
"Overall, the market was mixed as investors are waiting for fresh leads, including companies' 2006 results," she said. She noted that miners such as Aneka Tambang and Timah led Tuesday's gains due to rising nickel and tin prices.
Timah gained 400 rupiah to 10,700, Aneka Tambang rose 150 to 10,300 and Inco added 1,700 to 46,800. Perusahaan Gas Negara was up 100 rupiah at 9,400 and Medco Energi was up 50 at 3,800. Index heavyweight Telkom was unchanged at 9,400 rupiah while rival Indosat lost 50 to 5,900. Among other fallers, Astra International was down 400 rupiah at 14,250, Bank Rakyat Indonesia lost 150 to 4,950 and Bank Danamon edged down 50 to 5,900.