The Today's Headlines section of Indonesia Investments is a daily updated section which contains the latest information with regard to topics that are currently causing headlines in Indonesia's media. Most of our headlines will cover political, economic and social matters. As a consequence of their recent nature, these topics may not have crystallized fully yet and can, therefore, lack a profound analysis. For publications with a more in-depth understanding of subjects, we refer you to our News, Financial or Business columns.
The US dollar is advancing on Thursday (28/09) amid strong US dollar demand on the back of US President Donald Trump's tax reform program announcement and looming further monetary tightening by the Federal Reserve before the year-end. Rising US treasury yields naturally cause US dollar strength, hence leading to weakening emerging market currencies, with especially the Indonesian rupiah being affected significantly today.
Although a modest improvement is detected in the second half of 2017, Indonesian electronics manufacturers say that bleak consumer purchasing power poses a major challenge and therefore urge the government to implement policies that would strengthen purchasing power in Southeast Asia's largest economy.
One of Indonesia's leading banks, Bank Rakyat Indonesia, is planning to conduct a 1:5 stock split in order to make its stocks more affordable and increase their liquidity. At the general shareholders meeting, to be held on 18 October 2017, the plan is expected to be approved by the company's shareholders.
Based on the latest survey of Roy Morgan Indonesia, the local unit of global market research firm Roy Morgan Research, Indonesia's consumer confidence fell slightly in August 2017 to a reading of 151.7 points (down 0.4 points from the preceding month, which had been the highest reading in more than two years).
