The June 2016 reference thermal coal price of Indonesia (in Indonesian: Harga Batubara Acuan, HBA), a price set by Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry on a monthly basis, rose 1.3 percent month-on-month to USD $51.81 per metric ton (FOB). In line with our earlier predictions, Indonesia's coal price has been stabilizing just above the USD $50 per ton level so far this year, supported by miners' decision to cut output amid low coal prices. Meanwhile, coal prices in Europe surged to the highest level in ten months, buoyed by rising fuel prices as well as supply disruptions.

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Good news for smartphone manufacturers in Indonesia. Based on a survey conducted by Advan, MARS Research Specialist, and telecommunications expert Hasnul Suhaimi, the majority of Indonesian consumers replace their smartphone with a new one every two years, on average, as they want to own a newer model (with more attractive features and applications) or because they need to replace their damaged smartphone. Another - and obvious - conclusion of the survey was that Indonesian consumers want a high-quality smartphone at an affordable price.

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FC Internazionale Milano (or simply Inter Milan) will go into Chinese hands after Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir and former Inter President Massimo Moratti agree to sell a stake in the Italian football club to China-based electronic retailer Suning Commerce Group. Three years ago media tycoon Thohir, founder of the Mahaka Media Group, purchased a 70 percent stake in Inter Milan, a deal worth around 300 million euro. Suning Commerce Group will now acquire a controlling 68.55 percent stake in Inter. Thohir remains as president with a 31 percent stake.

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Changing perceptions about US monetary policy have a big impact on Indonesian stocks and - especially - the rupiah, today. According to the Bloomberg Dollar Index, the Indonesian rupiah had appreciated 1.30 percent to IDR 13,418 per US dollar by 12:55 pm local Jakarta time. Meanwhile, the Jakarta Composite index rose 0.52 percent to 4,879.06 after the first trading session on Monday (06/06). What caused this performance? Well, the release of the weakest US jobs data since 2010.

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