Economic data from the USA (non-farm payrolls and consumer confidence) were better than expected and thus indicate an improving US economy. This subsequently triggers speculation that the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing program will be wound down soon, perhaps even this month. The next FOMC meeting is scheduled for 17-18 December 2013 and is expected to provide more insight into the Federal Reserve's stance on the bond buying program. A consequence of the improving US economy and speculation about an end to QE3 is the strengthening US dollar and depreciating currencies in emerging markets, including Indonesia's rupiah exchange rate.

On Monday (09/12), Indonesia's Finance Minister Chatib Basri announced an extra package of fiscal policies that aim to curtail imports and spur exports in order to combat the country's wide trade deficit (USD $8.4 billion in the third quarter of 2013).

On Tuesday (10/12), Bank Indonesia's Jakarta Interbank Spot Dollar Rate (JISDOR) depreciated 0.24 percent to IDR 11,985 per US dollar.

| Source: Bank Indonesia


Indonesia Stock Exchange

The benchmark Indonesian stock index (IHSG) rose 1.46 percent during Tuesday's trading (10/12) to 4,276.68 points, supported by high gains of a number of large cap stocks: Bank Central Asia (+3.19 percent), Astra International (+3.17 percent) and Unilever Indonesia (+2.10 percent). Only the infrastructure sector was down (-0.01 percent).

Bahas