On 25 December 2016, Indonesia Investments released the latest edition of its newsletter. This free newsletter, which is sent to our subscribers once per week, contains the most important news stories from Indonesia that have been reported on our website over the last seven days. Most of the topics involve political, social and economy-related topics such as the performance of Indonesian stocks and the rupiah, infrastructure, radical Islam, palm oil, inflation, credit ratings, the visa-free facility, and more.

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The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) expects inflation to reach the range of 0.50-0.60 percent month-on-month (m/m) in December 2016 as Christmas and New Year celebrations, traditionally, give rise to higher consumer spending. The projection would also imply that full-year inflation will fall well within Bank Indonesia's target range of 3.0 - 5.0 percent (y/y) in 2016 (year-to-date, Indonesian inflation has accumulated to 2.59 percent), the second straight year of mild inflation (for Indonesian standards).

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Inflation in Indonesia accelerated to 3.58 percent year-on-year (y/y) in November 2016, from 3.31 percent (y/y) in the preceding month. Acceleration of Indonesian inflation last month was faster than expected, with estimates averaging 3.43 percent (y/y). On a month-on-month (m/m) basis inflation rose by 0.47 percent in November. Indonesia's Statistics Agency (BPS) announced the country's latest inflation data just before noon on Thursday (01/12).

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Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced that inflation in Indonesia was recorded at 0.14 percent month-on-month (m/m) in October 2016, slightly higher than had been expected by analysts but lower compared to the 0.22 percent (m/m) of inflation that was reported in the preceding month. Meanwhile, on an annual basis (y/y), Indonesia's inflation rate accelerated to a seasonally adjusted 3.31 percent (y/y) in October, from 3.07 percent (y/y) in the preceding month.

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According to the latest survey of Indonesia's central bank (Bank Indonesia), consumer confidence in Southeast Asia's largest economy fell 3.3 points to 110 in September 2016 (a reading above 100.0 indicates optimism). Consumer confidence somewhat weakened as the Indonesian people expect upward price pressures at the year-end, specifically rising prices of processed food, beverages, cigarettes, tobacco and groceries. Meanwhile, respondents also expect to put less money in savings in the next six months.

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Indonesia's consumer price index (CPI) expanded 3.07 percent year-on-year (y/y) in September, up from the 2.79 percent (y/y) pace in the preceding month but remaining at a comfortably low level (for Indonesian standards). According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), released earlier this morning (03/10), Indonesia's monthly inflation rate was 0.22 percent in September 2016, roughly in line with analysts' forecasts and the low inflation environment could be a reason for the central bank to cut its key interest rates again later this year.

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The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) stated that up to the third week of August deflation reached 0.06 percent month-to-month (m/m). Juda Agung, Executive Director at Bank Indonesia's Economic and Monetary Policy Department, said consumer demand has diminished after previously peaking during the Islamic Ramadan and Idul Fitri celebrations in June and July. Usually the month of August sees inflationary pressures (caused by the new school year). This year, however, it may be the first time in many years that August brings deflation.

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After six years of steady decline, the Indonesian rupiah is likely to have appreciated against the US dollar at the end of 2016. So far this year, the currency of Indonesia has appreciated 4.8 percent to IDR 13,126 against the greenback (Bloomberg Dollar Index) supported by capital inflows, particularly into government bonds and stocks as well as the delay in further monetary tightening in the USA. Although the rupiah should depreciate a bit as we go towards the end of the year, it is set to finish the year at a stronger level than it started.

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On 7 August 2016, Indonesia Investments released the latest edition of its newsletter. This free newsletter, which is sent to our subscribers once per week, contains the most important news stories from Indonesia that have been reported on our website over the last seven days. Most of the topics involve economic matters such as Indonesia's Q2-2016 GDP growth result, July inflation and manufacturing, the tax amnesty program, coal mining, monetary and fiscal policies, the tobacco industry, and much more.

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Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced on Monday (01/08) that Indonesia's inflation rate reached 0.69 percent (m/m) in July 2016, considerably below analysts' forecasts. In fact, the 0.69 percent (m/m) pace is Indonesia's lowest July inflation rate since 2012. On a year-on-year basis, Indonesian inflation eased to a seasonally adjusted 3.21 percent (y/y), from 3.45 percent (y/y) in the preceding month. Meanwhile, Indonesia's manufacturing activity plunged unexpectedly in July.

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ICRA Indonesia, an independent credit rating agency and subsidiary of ICRA Ltd. (associate of Moody's Investors Service), publishes a monthly newsletter which provides an update on the financial and economic developments in Indonesia of the last month. In the June 2014 edition, a number of important topics that are monitored include Indonesia's inflation rate, the trade balance, the BI rate, the IDR rupiah exchange rate, and gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Below is an excerpt of the newsletter:

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Emerging currencies in Asia, led by the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate, strengthened in the past week on positive economic data from the US and China, the world’s two largest economies. Companies in the US added more jobs than expected in June 2014, while manufacturing in China grew at its fastest pace in 2014. Improving economies of the US and China are important for Asian countries as it boosts Asian exports. Moreover, Indonesian inflation and trade data contributed to positive market sentiments.

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Inflation in June 2014 increased by 0.43 percent (month-to-month, mtm) in accordance with the traditional pattern ahead of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and Idul Fitri celebrations. These occasions always trigger inflationary pressures as consumers increase spending. However, June inflation remains under control and is even lower than the historical average in June in recent years (0.56 percent mtm). On a year-on-year (yoy) basis, inflation stood at 6.70 percent, thus continuing the downward trend since the beginning of 2014.

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Head of Statistics Indonesia (BPS) Suryamin announced on Tuesday (01/07) that the number of poor people in Indonesia declined slightly to 28.28 million people (or 11.25 percent of the total population) in March 2014, from 28.60 million (11.46 percent of the total population) in September 2013. However, compared to March last year, poverty has increased by 110,000 people due to high inflation and a slowing economy; economic growth slowed to 5.78 percent in 2013 and this decline continued to 5.21 percent in the first quarter of 2014.

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The Indonesian rupiah exchange rate is appreciating sharply on Monday (30/06). By 15:13pm local Jakarta time, the currency of Indonesia had strengthened 1.31 percent to IDR 11,838 against the US dollar. Main factors that cause this performance are the weakening US dollar (as a slowdown in the US economic recovery evokes expectations that the Fed Rate will not be raised soon) and falling oil prices; the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate declined 30 cents to USD $105.44 in mid-morning trade while Brent crude fell 22 cents to USD $113.08.

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The Indonesian rupiah exchange rate depreciated 0.07 percent to IDR 12,099 per US dollar on Thursday (26/06) based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, thus extending its recent weakening trend. This trend is expected to continue further as Bank Indonesia said it would allow rupiah depreciation in order to make the country’s exports more competitive (in an attempt to curb the current account deficit). However, this also dampens demand for Indonesian bonds. The 10-year yield rose to the highest level since February 2014.

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ICRA Indonesia, an independent credit rating agency and subsidiary of ICRA Ltd. (associate of Moody's Investors Service), publishes a monthly newsletter which provides an update on the financial and economic developments in Indonesia of the last month. In the May 2014 edition, a number of important topics that are monitored include Indonesia's inflation rate, the trade balance, the BI rate, the IDR rupiah exchange rate, and gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Below is an excerpt of the newsletter:

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On Thursday 12 June 2014 it was decided at the central bank’s Board of Governors’ Meeting to maintain the country’s benchmark interest rate (BI rate) at 7.50 percent, with the Lending Facility rate and Deposit Facility rate held at 7.50 percent and 5.75 percent, respectively. This decision is consistent with ongoing efforts to steer inflation back towards its target corridor of 4.5±1 percent in 2014 and 4.0±1 percent in 2015, as well as to reduce Indonesia’s current account deficit to a more sustainable level.

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Car sales in Indonesia declined 8 percent to 98,198 units in May 2014 from 106,811 units in the previous month. The Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (Gaikindo) said that the decline was the direct consequence of several public holidays (International Labour Day and the commemorations of Buddha’s birthday as well as ascensions of Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ). These holidays caused a lower car production rate and a reduced number of car deliveries to wholesale dealers.

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According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the country's balance of trade in April 2014 recorded a deficit of USD $1.96 billion, after having recorded a surplus of USD $0.67 billion in March. The balance of trade performance in April 2014 was particularly affected by the country's non-oil & gas balance, which turned from a surplus into a deficit, whereas a lower deficit in the oil & gas trade balance was realized (compared to March 2014). Meanwhile, inflation in May 2014 was slightly higher at 0.16 percent (mtm) from the previous month.

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