Taipei, July 31 (CNA) Taiwan’s share prices closed higher Friday, with the weighted index, the market’s key barometer, advancing 50.6 points, or 0.72 percent, to close at 7,077.71.

Following the rally of international stock markets, the local bourse opened higher Friday at 7,111.15 and fluctuated between 7,132.11 and 7,044.7 during the day’s trading session.

A total of 5.67 billion shares changed hands on market turnover of NT$158.27 billion (US$4.83 billion).

Six of the eight major stock categories gained ground, with construction issues moving up the most at 1.16 percent. Machinery and electronics shares advanced 1.14 percent, textile stocks were up 0.76 percent, cement stocks increased 0.34 percent, plastics and chemicals shares advanced 0.19 percent, and banking and financial shares rose 0.02 percent.

Foodstuff issues dropped 0.11 percent and paper and pulp issues declined 0.09 percent.

Gainers outnumbered losers 1,232 to 1,058, with 189 stocks remaining unchanged.

Foreign institutional investors were net buyers of NT$6.96 billion worth of shares.

For the week, the Taiex gained 104.43 points, or 1.49 percent. (By Nick Huang)