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.
Indonesian exports of completely built up (CBU) car units surged in the first quarter of 2017, a development that may indicate that global economic growth is improving (specifically in the export destination nations). Based on data from the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (Gaikindo) Indonesia exported 56,371 units in Q1-2017, up 53.4 percent year-on-year (y/y) from 36,750 units in the same period one year earlier.
Sales of footwear products (shoes) in Indonesia fell 10 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2017. This bleak performance is attributed to Indonesians' weak (consumer) purchasing power. Meanwhile, domestic footwear manufacturers only saw modestly rising demand from abroad compared to one year ago. Therefore, Indonesia's footwear exports have remained rather stagnant.
National Geographic, the official magazine of the National Geographic Society that has been published continuously since 1888, ranked Indonesia's Borobudur temple third in its global iconic adventure tourism sites, hence acknowledging the temple's uniqueness as well as cultural and historic value. The Borobudur, a ninth-century Mahayana Buddhist temple, is also listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site (since 1991).
Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index slipped for the third consecutive day on Tuesday (02/05), unable to follow the general trend in Asian markets. While the overnight rally on Wall Street (the Nasdaq hitting a new all-time high) and easing geopolitical concerns on Korea provided the right context for most Asian stocks to rise, Indonesia failed to follow suit. This was attributed to higher-than-expected inflation. However, we also want to add that valuations of Indonesian stocks are still high, making these stocks "a bit unattractive".
