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.
The price of cocoa is expected to remain bearish on the short-term as supplies are set to rise in the western part of Africa, particularly Ivory Coast and Ghana. At the end of trading on Wednesday (03/05) the cocoa price had slid 1.16 percent to USD $1,784 per ton (on the ICE Futures New York, July 2017 delivery). Since the start of 2017 the cocoa price has fallen 15.56 percent.
The performance of those Indonesian property companies and industrial estate managers that are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange is not very encouraging so far this year. When we take a look at the corporate earnings of 17 listed property firm and industrial estate managers, then we see a combined 37.6 percent year-on-year (y/y) fall in net profit in the first quarter of 2017 (from their net profit in the same quarter one year ago). Meanwhile, their combined revenue fell 0.6 percent (y/y) in Q1-2017.
As widely expected, the Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged after May's two-day policy meeting that was concluded on Wednesday (03/05). The US central bank also delivered a rather hawkish policy statement, downplaying weak Q1-2017 economic growth and emphasizing the strength of the US labor market. This implies the Fed is still on track for two more rate hikes in the remainder of 2017.
Tidal Bridge BV, a joint venture of Strukton International and DEC, has been awarded the contract to construct the Palmerah Tidal Bridge in Indonesia. The Dutch company will build a floating bridge in the Larantuka Strait, located in East Flores in the eastern part of Indonesia. This floating bridge will be linked to (what is set to become) the world's largest tidal power plant. The total duration of the project is estimated at four years with a final contract value of more than USD $550 million. This project is the first Dutch-Indonesian cooperation in the field of waterworks.
