Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) got off to a strong start here on Tuesday morning on cigarette and banking share buying.

The BEI index went up 11.198 points or 0.47 percent to 2,650.233 points and the LQ-45 index rose 2.298 points or 0.48 percent to 522.432 points.

Ahmad Riyadi, a research analyst of Pt Millenium Danathama Securities, said here on Tuesday that investors grabbed shares of Gudang Garam and HM Sampoerna cigarette companies, as well as Bank Danamon and state owned bank BRI.

The cigarette and banking gains boosted the BEI index to reach the level of over 2,650 points.

Riyadi predicted that the Indonesian stocks might move upward further although Wall Street was closed in the run up to the national holiday.

"We are optimistic that the market is still positive until in the afternoon as the regional markets tend to strengthen," he said.

Among top gainers at the BEI were Gudang Garam shares that rose Rp400 to Rp23,750, HM Sampoerna shares that climbed Rp150 to Rp13,700, Bank BRI shares that added Rp100 to Rp8,000 and Bank Danamon shares that advanced Rp100 to Rp4,950.

Astra International shares went up Rp150 to Rp36,150, United Tractor shares increased Rp250 to Rp18,500, Telkom rose to Rp9,450, Mayora climbed to Rp9,4350, and Inco shares added to Rp3,275.(*)