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Latest Reports Inflation
Again, Indonesia experienced another month characterized by low inflation. Based on the latest data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Indonesian inflation was recorded at 0.21 percent month-on-month (m/m) in July 2023, significantly lower than the 0.64 percent (m/m) that was recorded in the same month one year earlier.
On 7 August 2023 Indonesia Investments released the July 2023 edition of its monthly report, zooming in on various economic, political and social matters that were relevant in the month of July 2023.
On 6 July 2023 Indonesia Investments released the June 2023 edition of its monthly report. In the report we present a number of analyses of topics (all related to the economy, politics and social matters) that were relevant in Indonesia in the month of June 2023.
Again, Indonesia experienced another month characterized by low inflation. Based on the latest data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Indonesian inflation was recorded at 0.14 percent month-on-month (m/m) in June 2023, significantly lower than the 0.61 percent (m/m) that was recorded in the same month one year earlier.
Typically, the Ramadan month and Idul Fitri week is a period of elevated inflation as people consume and travel more than usual amid the festivities. This year, however, inflationary pressures were remarkably low. According to the latest data of Statistics Indonesia (BPS), inflation reached 0.33 percent month-on-month in April 2023.
On 4 May 2023 Indonesia Investments released the April 2023 edition of its monthly report. The report discusses a range of subjects related to the economy, politics and social matters that we found were relevant in April 2023.
Indonesian inflation in March 2023 was significantly lower than we had anticipated. Based on the latest data from the Statistical Agency (Badan Pusat Statistik, or BPS), inflation accelerated to 0.18 percent month-on-month (m/m) in March 2023.
On Thursday (6 April 2023), Indonesia Investments released the March 2023 edition of its monthly report. In this report we offer in-depth analyses of the key economic, political and social matters that impacted on Indonesia in the month of March 2023.
While we saw an easing inflation pace for Indonesia in January 2023 (compared to the same month last year), the opposite occurred in February 2023. The country’s Statistical Agency (Badan Pusat Statistik, BPS) reported that inflation reached 0.16 percent month-on-month (m/m) in February 2023, which is higher than the -0.02 percent (m/m) of deflation we saw in the same month one year earlier.
On 06 March 2023, Indonesia Investments released its latest monthly report titled 'Normalizing Economic Growth'. As usual, we aim to present in-depth analyses of topics that are relevant in the context of economic, political and social developments in Indonesia.
Latest Columns Inflation
On this week's second day of trading (01/10), the benchmark stock index of Indonesia (IHSG) was able to post a 0.69 percent rise to 4,345.90 points despite ongoing concerns about the economic shutdown in the United States as discussions have not led to agreement about the country's debt ceiling. However, various data from Asia made a good impact. Indonesia's trade surplus in August and deflation in September contributed to positive market sentiments and provided a boost for the rupiah.
Investors are eagerly waiting for the release of Indonesia's September inflation rate. Indonesia has been hit by high inflation since the government decided to increase prices of subsidized fuels at the end of June. High inflation limits its people's purchasing power and as domestic consumption accounts for about 55 percent of Indonesia's economic growth, it thus impacts negatively on GDP growth, particularly after Bank Indonesia raised its benchmark interest rate (BI rate) from 5.75 to 7.25 percent between June and September.
The slowdown of Indonesia's economic growth is expected to continue into the third quarter of 2013. The Indonesian government predicts that economic growth will fall below the GDP growth figure realized in the second quarter (5.8 percent). Acting Head of the Fiscal Policy Agency Bambang Brodjonegoro stated that the main factor that causes the country's slowing economic growth in Q3-2013 is reduced household consumption. Domestic consumption in Indonesia accounts for about 55 percent of the country's GDP growth.
Indonesia's central bank, Bank Indonesia, expects deflation of about 0.9 percent in September 2013. Statistics Indonesia, on the other hand, believes there will be limited inflation this month. Both institutions agree, however, on a forecast of at least 9 percent of inflation over full-year 2013. The bank's September forecast is based on a survey that was conducted in the second week of September. This survey showed that food commodities and government administered prices eased.
Starting from May 2013, Indonesia's benchmark stock index (IHSG) has been on a weakening (bearish) trend inflicted by various reasons. First, in early May, Standard & Poor's downgraded Indonesia's credit rating due to the government's hesitancy to slash fuel subsidies. Then, the Federal Reserve started to speculate about ending its quantitative easing program. Capital outflows that followed indicated the vulnerable state of the Indonesian economy. Moreover, the controversial hike in fuel prices in late-June resulted in high inflation.
On Thursday (19/09), most currencies and stock indices outside the USA were bullish after the Federal Reserve decided to continue its massive monthly USD $85 billion bond buying program. Today (20/09), Asian currencies and stock indices took the foot off the gas as many investors sought to cash in on yesterday's gains. The MSCI Asia Pacific was still able to rise slightly (0.1 percent) after jumping 2.2 percent yesterday, but Indonesia's benchmark stock index (IHSG) plunged 1.86 percent (after gaining 4.65 percent yesterday).
Investors all around the world are in anticipation of the Federal Reserve's decision to scale back the monthly USD $85 billion bond-buying program known as quantitative easing (QE3). If indeed scaled back, then another important question remains: how much will the bond-buying program be toned down? Today (18/09), is the last day of the Fed's FOMC meeting in which these decisions are made. The market expects no drastic end to the program, instead a gradual toning down (between USD $10 to $20 billion) is anticipated.
Indonesia's poverty rate is expected to jump to between 11.13 and 11.37 percent of the total Indonesian population in 2013 due to inflationary pressures. Inflation may reach 9.2 percent at the year end. The new poverty forecast is significantly higher than the government's original target of 9.5 to 10.5 percent as set in the country's State Budget. The revised forecast was presented by Indonesia's Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas). Poverty basket inflation is expected to rise accordingly.
Last week, Indonesia's benchmark stock index (IHSG) climbed 7.3 percent to end at 4,375.53 on Friday (13/09). This growth is remarkable as it remains unknown what the Federal Reserve will do with its quantitative easing program (QE3). The next Fed meeting - scheduled for 17-18 September - is expected to provide more clarity regarding this matter. Positive sentiments that lifted the IHSG were Indonesia's slightly increased foreign exchange reserves, its stable rupiah after another BI rate hike, and the Bilateral Swap Deals (BSA) with Japan and China.
It was decided at the Board of Governors’ meeting (RDG) of Bank Indonesia on 12 September 2013 to raise the BI Rate by 25 bps to 7.25%, the rate on the Lending Facility by 25 bps to 7.25% and the rate on the Deposit Facility by 25 bps to 5.50%. This action forms part of the follow-up measures taken to reinforce the policy mix instituted by Bank Indonesia, which focuses on controlling inflation, stabilizing the rupiah exchange rate and ensuring the current account deficit is managed to a sustainable level.
