Although Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index has risen 4.81 percent since the start of 2016 (thus being among the world's best-performing benchmark stock indices so far this year, especially if the 5.17 percent appreciation of the rupiah is included into the calculation), not all Indonesian blue chip stocks, or big caps, have risen. Several examples are Blue Bird, Bank Pan Indonesia, Bank Permata, Global Mediacom, Surya Citra Media, and Sarana Menara Nusantara. Why did these stocks not rise so far in 2016? We zoom in on three cases.

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For some Indonesian investors, trends in the precious metals markets might seem difficult to understand. This is often because changing valuations are often based on external events that are not directly related to the Indonesian economy. But when we look at the global factors that typically create rising and falling price moves in the precious metals, it becomes easier to find ways of positioning investments for what is likely to come next.

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The financial performance of Indonesia's listed telecommunication and network providers improved in 2015. Indonesia's three largest listed telecommunication companies Telekomunikasi Indonesia, XL Axiata and Indosat Ooredoo all recorded a better financial performance last year. However, this does not mean all three companies posted net profit. In fact, only Telekomunikasi Indonesia recorded net profit. The other two companies still posted a net loss, albeit their losses were much lower compared to one year earlier. Given that Indonesia's economic growth is expected to accelerate in 2016, these companies should be able to continue growing this year.

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A new financial management system was launched in April 2015 by the Indonesian government. This new system, called Sistem Perbendaharaan dan Anggaran Negara (abbreviated SPAN), aims to enhance public efficiency, transparency and accountability in Indonesia by managing the financial transactions of more than 24,000 government spending units in all 33 provinces. According to a new World Bank story, Indonesia's new financial system has managed to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability. Moreover, it improves budget planning and spending.

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