Indonesia's Stock Index Slightly Up, but US Debt Ceiling Issue Looms
Indonesia's benchmark stock index (IHSG) was up 0.40 percent to 4,423.72 on Friday (27/09). The gain was mainly carried by demand for a number of Indonesian blue chip stocks. Astra International rose 1.16 percent after Deutsche Securities Indonesia, Credit Suisse Securities Indonesia and Citigroup Securities Indonesia increased their stakes in one of Indonesia's largest diversified conglomerates. Other blue chips that performed well were Perusahaan Gas Negara, Bank Mandiri, Telekomunikasi Indonesia and Indofood Sukses Makmur.
Positive market sentiments were brought on due to a better than expected US employment figure and Japan inflation. US Initial Jobless Claims, which measures the number of individuals who filed for unemployment insurance in the USA, fell to 305,000 individuals, while Japan’s inflation accelerated to its fastest pace since 2008 in August, particularly due to higher energy costs.
Both Wall Street and Europe were down on Friday (27/09) as Washington's fiscal deadlines loom. First, on 1 October 2013 the new US budget year commences and requires the US Congress to pass a spending bill that allows agencies to stay open. Second, by 17 October 2013 Congress needs to increase the government's USD $16.7 trillion debt ceiling in order to avoid a first-ever default on its payments.
The Indonesian rupiah rose slightly to 11,532 against the US dollar on Friday (27/09). The 10-year government bond-yield rose from 8.08 percent to 8.26 percent according to data from the Indonesia Bond Pricing Agency.
–
‹ Back to Indonesia Stock Exchange