JAKARTA (JP): Share prices improved on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) yesterday, amid public concerns over riots in Medan, North Sumatra, which has led to attacks on ethnic Chinese.

"But the recovering market seems to be growing early this week and not affected by such rioting," a broker said.

The broad-based Composite Index slightly increased to 475.77 yesterday from 472.65 on Friday.

The narrower-based GTDBS-50 Index also continued strengthening to close at 112.59 from 111.96.

Trading slightly declined to 19.70 million shares worth Rp 92.92 billion (US$43.38 million) from 21.71 million shares valued at Rp 102.12 billion.

Among the top losers were Andayani Megah (-Rp 250), Barito Pacific Timber (-Rp 200), Kabel Metal Indonesia (-Rp 200) and Modernland Realty Ltd. (-Rp 200).

Gainers were Bunas Finance Indonesia (+Rp 400), Ever Shine Textile Industry (+Rp 250), Hero Supermarket (+Rp 450), HM Sampoerna (+Rp 250), Lippo Bank (+Rp 500), Petrosea (+Rp 400), Smart Corporation (+Rp 500), Texmaco Jaya (+Rp 225), Tjiwi Kimia (+Rp 400), Unggul Indah Corp. (+Rp 300), Bakrie Sumatra Plantation (+Rp 375) and United Tractor (+Rp 300).

A total of 13.02 million shares changed hands at Rp 59.02 billion on the regular market, 280,000 shares at Rp 756 million on the block sale board, 4.24 million shares at Rp 20.25 billion on the cross trading board, 2.16 million at Rp 12.89 billion on the foreign board and 200 shares at Rp 700,000 on the odd lot board.

The cash trading board recorded no transactions yesterday. (fhp)