The Today's Headlines section of Indonesia Investments is a regularly updated section which contains the latest information with regard to topics that are currently causing headlines in Indonesia's media. Most of our headlines 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.
So far in 2017 there has been limited enthusiasm of companies to conduct an initial public offering (IPO) on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). However, there is now some more activity visible. On Friday (05/05) bottled water producer Sariguna Primatirta was officially listed on the IDX, while three other companies - Cahayasakti Investindo, Pelayaran Tamarin, and Terregra Asia Energy - are to follow soon.
Good news for Indonesian coal producers. Indonesia's benchmark coal price (in Indonesian: Harga Batubara Acuan, or HBA) continued to rise. The May 2017 HBA was set at USD $83.81 per metric ton, up 1.6 percent from the price that was set in the preceding month. The HBA, which is based on a selection of domestic and international coal indices, is set on a monthly basis by Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.
Indonesia's Statistics Agency (BPS) announced that the nation's official gross domestic product (GDP) edged up to a growth pace of 5.01 percent year-on-year (y/y) in the first quarter of 2017. This figure is in line with analysts' forecasts and constitutes the third consecutive year of accelerating economic growth of Indonesia in the first quarter. In Q1-2015 and Q1-2016 GDP growth was recorded at 4.71 percent (y/y) and 4.92 percent (y/y), respectively.
Stocks are under pressure in Asia on Friday morning (05/05) as metal prices continue to slide, while crude oil prices suffered their lowest close since November 2016 after a near five percent plunge yesterday on concerns of a US oil supply glut with analysts forecasting further losses, hence undermining the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)'s earlier efforts to boost the oil price through production cut agreements (chances of seeing deeper cuts in OPEC nations are slim).
