JAKARTA (JP): Share prices mostly increased on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) yesterday with the broad-based Composite Index continuing its three-day gaining streak to close at 502.59, as compared to 501.99 on Tuesday.

However, yesterday's moderate trading was marked by a drop in blue-chip shares, including those of Astra International Inc. and Barito Timber Pacific due to the profit-taking.

The narrower-based GTDBS-50 Index, a gauge for most liquid shares, slightly strengthened to 119.90 from 119.85.

Trading volume plunged to 24.99 million shares valued at Rp 119.79 billion (US$55.61 million) yesterday from 31.98 million shares valued at Rp 149.57 billion on Tuesday.

Among yesterday's top gainers were Kabelindo Murni (+Rp 1,500), Branta Mulia, Ever Shine Textile Industry (+Rp 400), Good Year Indonesia (+Rp 375), Dankos Laboratories (+Rp 300), Gadjah Tunggal (+Rp 300), Ciputra Development (+Rp 250), Semen Cibinong (+Rp 250) and Kalbe Farma (+Rp 200).

Yesterday's losers included Unilever Indonesia (-Rp 500), Barito Pacific Timber (-Rp 450), Lion Mesh P. (-Rp 350), Sekar Bumi (-Rp 300), Astra Int'l Inc. (-Rp 275), Duta Anggada Realty (-Rp 175), Hero Supermarket (-Rp 150), Gudang Garam (-Rp 150) and Unggul Indah Corp. (-Rp 150).

Of the total trading volume, 14.24 million shares changed hands at Rp 67.47 billion on the regular market, 200,000 shares at Rp 865 million on the bloc trading board, 8.9 million shares at Rp 41.63 billion on the crossing board and 1.65 million shares at Rp 9.82 billion on the foreign board.

The odd lot and cash trading boards recorded no transactions yesterday. (02)