Taiwan's share prices rose for the seventh consecutive day in heavy trading volume Monday, to finish above the previous 52-week high of 7,185 set on July 29. The weighted index, the market's key barometer, advanced 71.46 points, or 0.99 percent, to close at 7,224.59. The local bourse opened at 7,192.16 and fluctuated between 7,240.34 and 7,169.40. A total of 4.23 billion shares changed hands on market turnover of NT$124.81 billion (US$3.80 billion). Seven of the eight major stock categories gained ground, with construction shares moving up the most at 3.9 percent. Banking and financial stocks advanced 2.4 percent, textile shares rose 1.9 percent, cement issues gained 1.8 percent, machinery and electronics shares rose 0.8 percent, paper and pulp shares were up 0.4 percent, and plastics and chemicals shares surged 0.2 percent. One major stock category - foodstuff - lost ground, shedding 0.5 percent. Gainers outnumbered losers 1,344 to 1,049, with 213 stocks remaining unchanged. Foreign investors bought NT$5.28 billion-worth of shares. One analyst said the market has a good chance to rise further given that the local bourse added 343.27 points in heavy trading volume over the past week. However, he said investors should still be alert for the possible impact of influenza A (H1N1) pandemic and a planned Cabinet reshuffle this week on the local bourse. 