Indonesia’s decision to raise import tariffs for food, cars, clothes as well as various other consumer goods put additional downward pressure on Indonesian stocks on the last trading day of the week (24/07). Those listed companies (retailers) that rely on imported goods saw their shares tumble as a consequence of the higher import tariffs. The Indonesian Finance Ministry raised import duties for consumer goods between 10 and 150 percent (depending on product) in a bid to boost the country’s consumer goods industry and curtail imports.

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It is expected to be another difficult day for Indonesian stocks and the rupiah as there are few to none positive market sentiments that can support these assets on today’s trading day. Wall Street closed lower on Thursday (23/07) for the third consecutive day on disappointing financial results of several big companies, dragging down indices in the East. Commodity indices continue to fall (oil returning to bear market on resilient US output and rising OPEC supply). Meanwhile, sharp rupiah depreciation makes investors nervous.

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Stock trading at the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) restarted on Wednesday (22/07) after the four-day Idul Fitri holiday ended. Shortly after opening on Wednesday, Indonesia’s benchmark Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) rose 0.50 percent on investors’ optimism about the recent good performance of global stock markets after debt-ridden Greece reached an agreement with its international creditors while turmoil in Chinese stocks faded. Not long after opening, however, Indonesian shares were dragged down by other Asian indices.

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On Tuesday (14/07), construction firm and property developer Binakarya Jaya Abadi became the 11th company to list on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in 2015. The company offered 150 million shares, 25 percent of its paid up capital, in an initial public offering (IPO) at an offering price of IDR 1,000 per share, thereby raising IDR 150 billion (USD $11.3 million). Despite weak market sentiments, the company’s shares rose 50 percent on its trading debut on the IDX. RHB OSK Securities was underwriter for the IPO.

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In line with the global trend, Indonesian stocks extended their gains on Tuesday morning (14/07). Most stock indices (across the globe) continue to move in green territory after debt-ridden Greece and its international creditors agreed - after a 17-hour long emergency meeting - to an austerity package that will keep Greece within the Eurozone. Indonesia’s benchmark Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) had risen 0.60 percent to 4,923.36 points by 11:45 am local Jakarta time on Tuesday.

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Indonesian information technology solutions provider Anabatic Technologies, became the 10th company to list on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in 2015. By selling 375 million shares, or 20 percent of the company’s enlarged capital, Anabatic Technologies raised IDR 262.5 billion (USD $19.5 million). In the initial public offering (IPO) 10 percent of the company’s shares were bought by Japanese IT solutions provider TIS. Through this partnership, Anabatic expects to expand its business outside Indonesia.

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Indonesian stocks and the rupiah weakened further on Wednesday (08/07) due to the continuing fall of Chinese stocks (raising concerns about global economic growth) and the downward revision of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s economic growth forecasts for Indonesia in 2015. Furthermore, global uncertainty brought about by the looming Greek exit (Grexit) from the euro continues to plague markets worldwide and makes investors prefer to wait for more certain times.

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Agus Martowardojo, Governor of Indonesia’s central bank (Bank Indonesia), predicts that the current economic turmoil in the Eurozone, caused by the Greek debt crisis, will impact on the stability of developing countries, including Indonesia. Although in terms of both trade and investment there should not be a real impact originating from Greek turmoil, the perception of macroeconomic stability will be somewhat hit on the back of global uncertainty. In line with most markets, Indonesian stocks and the rupiah weakened on Monday (06/07).

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As expected Indonesian stocks as well as the rupiah weakened after the opening of trade on Monday morning (06/07). This performance is in line with the direction of other markets in Asia. The primary reason behind this performance is the result of Greece’s referendum, conducted on Sunday (05/07), in which Greek voters overwhelmingly rejected reform plans that are demanded by the country’s international creditors. This result seriously jeopardizes the future of Greece in the Eurozone.

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Although Indonesia is considered as one of the Asian economies that is particularly vulnerable to a Greek exit from the euro (‘Grexit’), Indonesian stocks and the rupiah did not decline as heavily as other emerging market assets on Monday’s trading day (29/06), the first trading day after the collapse of talks between debt-ridden Greece and its international creditors. Indonesia’s benchmark Jakarta Composite Index fell 0.82 percent to 4,882.59 points while the rupiah depreciated 0.24 percent to IDR 13,339 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index).

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Despite non-conducive market sentiments, there was no stopping to the Indonesia stock index (IHSG) as it managed to reach its next psychological boundary on Thursday 18 April: 5,000 points. A fall in American energy and telecommunication stocks on the previous day - after corporate data indicated less-than-expected performances in the first quarter - buried hopes that the Dow Jones Index would hit another peak. As a result Asian stock indices were mostly negative.

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Indonesia's main stock index, the IHSG, continued its rally on Wednesday 17 April due to increased US monthly Housing Starts, decreased US inflation, as well as financial results of companies that indicated revenues and net profits exceeded expectations. Moreover, the IMF upgraded its outlook for East Asia's economic, which made investors buy stocks. Within Indonesia, there was enthusiasm regarding Q1-2013 corporate results and dividend payouts, which offset uncertainties about the new fuel policy.

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Most of us expected the Jakarta composite index (IHSG) to weaken on Tuesday 16 April 2013 amid mixed Asian stock indices and significantly weakened American and European indices on Monday (that responded to reports about both China's slowing economic growth and weak economic figures of America). Moreover, bomb explosions at the finish line of the marathon of Boston were expected to complicate the performance of the IHSG. But concerns turned out in vain.

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The Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) did not make a good start on the first trading day of the new week. Similar to last week's Monday, it were falling American stock indices on Friday that impacted on Monday's IHSG performance: US Retail Sales, Michigan Consumer Sentiment, and commodity prices were topics that were not well-received by market players. Moreover, weak economic data from China made many foreign investor decide to sell their Indonesian assets.

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Last week, I discussed the composition of the ten largest Indonesian companies by market capitalization. For this week's column I have decided to zoom in on the performance of Indonesia's main stock index (IHSG), which has been highly volatile in the last week. It seems like its trend for the upcoming short-term has changed from an upward into a sideward trend. While the Dow Jones Index has been setting new records, the IHSG is showing some signs of fatigue.

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Rising American stock indices on Wednesday provided solid support for stock indices around Asia the following day, including Indonesia's main index (IHSG). Amid this global positivity, market players were eager to add stocks to their portfolios. News from Japan, China and the Indonesian central bank's announcement to maintain its low benchmark interest rate were well-received, particularly by domestic market players. It made the IHSG rise to 4,924.26, a 0.96 percent gain.

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Although most Asian stock indices went up on Wednesday (10 April 2013), the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) could not cling on to their movement. In fact, even the main index of South Korea, a country plagued by political tensions, reported a rise. The IHSG was not able to follow suit due to investors' profit taking. Foreign market participants recorded a net sell, particularly Indonesia's blue chip stocks, which caused the index to end at 4,877.48, a 0.45 percent fall.

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In its most recent report, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts Indonesia to continue its robust economic growth. Last year, the economy of Indonesia expanded 6.23 percent, and according to the ADB this figure will rise to 6.4 percent in 2013 and 6.6 percent in 2014. However, since the start of April there have been some issues that are causing Indonesia's stock indices to go down. Although believed to be only temporary, it is worth taking a closer look.

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On Monday, the Dow Jones Index gained as corporate results of Q1-2013 are estimated to be good. This subsequently had a positive impact on Asian stock indices on Tuesday, including Indonesia's main index (IHSG). Moreover, positive news from both Australia and China were well-received as well as the higher metal price (reflected by Hong Kong's rising Hang Seng Index). Amid this positivity, investors took the opportunity to enlarge their stock portfolios.

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Last week Friday, American stock markets were not able to maintain a positive trend due to Nonfarm Payrolls that increased below expectation. Moreover, concerns about a spreading bird flu epidemic in China in combination with increased political tensions in Korea impacted on Monday's trading day (8 April 2013) of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG). The index had to absorb a sell-off, thus closing lower to 4,897.52, an 0.58 percent decline.

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