JAKARTA (JP): After strengthening on the last four days, the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) slipped back again yesterday, with the broad-based Composite Index losing 10 points to close at 465.75 from 475.77 on Monday.

"The price drops are in line with the downward trend on major world markets after the unexpected hike in short term interest rates in the United States Monday," a brokers said.

In the shock situation, almost all Asian markets closed lower yesterday in thin trading.

The narrower-based GTDBS-50 Index also dropped to close to 110.17 from 112.59.

Total trading sank to 14.30 million shares valued at Rp 70.28 billion (US$32.72 million) yesterday from 19.70 million shares worth Rp 92.92 billion (US$43.38 million) on Monday.

Yesterday's top losers included Bank Int'l Indonesia (-Rp 400), Barito Pacific Timber (-Rp 500), Duta Anggada Realty (-Rp 400), Duta Pertiwi Nusantara (-Rp 375), Dynaplast (-Rp 500), Ganda Wangsa Utama (-Rp 700), Gajah Surya Multi F. (-Rp 300), HM Sampoerna (-Rp 550), Kedaung Indah Can (-Rp 300), Lippo Bank (-Rp 300), Mayatexdian (-Rp 350), Smart Corporation (-Rp 300), Sumalindo Lestari Jaya (-Rp 300), Unggul Indah Corp. (-Rp 250), and Bakrie Sumatra Plantation (-Rp 475)

Gainers were, among others, Aqua Golden Mississippi (+Rp 475), Cipendawa Farm Enterprise (+Rp 200), Inti Indorayon Utama (+Rp 250), Kalbe Farma (+Rp 200) and Petrosea (+Rp 250).

Some 9.44 million shares changed hands at Rp 43.05 billion on the regular market, 3.30 million shares at Rp 21.15 billion on the cross trading board, 1.55 million shares at Rp 6.07 billion on the foreign board and 200 shares at Rp 900,000 on the odd lot board.

The block sale and cash trading boards recorded no transactions yesterday. (fhp)