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Jakarta stocks close

mixed on profit-taking

JAKARTA: Jakarta shares prices ended the day mixed in moderate trading on profit-taking in secondliners, while overall market sentiment seen soft in line with the generally soft sentiment in the regional markets, brokers said on Thursday.

The Jakarta composite index fell 0.50 points, or 0.10 percent, to close at 512.58 after touching a high of 515.58.

"Players were seen taking profit in secondliners like Citra Marga following its sharp gains in the previous trading days due to market talk of a possible hike in toll road fees," one broker said. Citra Marga fell 50 rupiah to close at 2,300.

The actively traded Gajah Tunggal fell 100 rupiah to 1,875 rupiah, with some 1.4 billion shares traded, also on profit-taking following its previous modest gains.

Blue chips Astra, Indocement, Indah Kiat and Gajah Tunggal were among the losers, falling by between 25 rupiah to 125 rupiah. Other losers included Kalbe Farma and IKI Kabel.

Matahari was actively traded, with 1.3 million shares changing hands, on market talk the company had privately placed 20 million shares with the public. Matahari rose 125 rupiah to close at 3,550 rupiah.-Reuter