JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Composite index of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) gained 0.16% to 5435 on Monday (March 16), but closed off its high as profit taking hit certain stocks. The index moved at range of 5415-5449 during the day trading.

The index opened lower at morning trade, to tracking regional markets, but regained ground as investors bought stocks ahead of the release of February trade data.

At mid day, the Central Bureau of Statistic (BPS) reported that Indonesia recorded trade surplus of US$740 million in February 2015.

Asian shares drifted higher on Monday after a downbeat session on Wall Street kept sentiment in check, Reuters reported.

Astra International gained 1.27%, Bank Rakyat Indonesia rose 1.18%, Bank Negara Indonesia increased 2.59%, London Sumatra jumped 4.35%, Waskita Karya climbed 1.2%, Global Mediacom added 1.66%, and Matahari Putra Prima gained 2.42%.

While Adaro Energy fell 2.58%, Aneka Tambang lost 2.05%, Bumi Resources declined 1.14%, Media Nusantara Citra shed 1.04%, and Multipolar slashed 2.62%.

Nymex’s crude oil declined 0.6% to US$44.57 per barrel while gold rose 0.44% to US$1,157.50 per ounce. The rupiah weakened further to Rp13,237 against the US dollar.