The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is optimistic about economic growth of Indonesia in the foreseeable future. In its latest report the Washington-based institution says Indonesia's solid economic policies and increased household consumption support strong growth. The stronger rupiah and low inflation have caused people's purchasing power to strengthen. This is a major positive boost for the economy as household consumption accounts for more than 55 percent of total economic growth in Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Read more ›

The benchmark Jakarta Composite Index rose 0.13 percent to 5,360.77 points on Friday (03/02), while the Indonesian rupiah appreciated 0.06 percent to IDR 13,343 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index). This slight growth was in line with the performance of most global stock markets on Friday after Wall Street ended little changed on the preceding trading day.

Read more ›

The Indonesian rupiah is appreciating sharply on Thursday (05/01) as the US dollar retreats from its (near) 14-year peak against a basket of major global currencies ahead of the release of the US Federal Reserve's December policy meeting minutes. Based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, the rupiah had strengthened 0.83 percent to IDR 13,328 per US dollar by 14:00 pm local Jakarta time on Thursday (05/01). Particularly the unexpected fall of the US dollar against China's yuan spooks market players.

Read more ›

When on Friday afternoon (30 December 2016) the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) closed its doors it effectively brought the year 2016 to an end in terms of stock trading on the local bourse. On Friday Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index fell 0.11 percent to 5,296.71 points after two days of impressive gains. However, when looking at full-year 2016 the Jakarta Composite Index climbed 15.32 percent, hence being the second-best performing (national) benchmark stock index (after Thailand) in the Southeast Asian region in 2016.

Read more ›

On the last trading day before the Christmas break, Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index fell for the ninth straight day, the longest losing streak since August 2005. On Friday (23/12) the index fell 0.30 percent to 5,027.70 points. The performance of Indonesian stocks was in line with other markets in Asia. Ahead of Christmas and New Year festivities, trade volume is low as investors are taking a break. Meanwhile, there are no positive sentiments stemming from the Indonesian market.

Read more ›

As we approach the year-end, and without the presence of positive triggers, investors seem to engage in profit-taking. Therefore, Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index now extended its losing streak to seven straight sessions. Indonesian stocks fell 0.99 percent to 5,111.39 points on Wednesday (21/12), a decline led by consumer staples and financial shares, while the Indonesian rupiah depreciated 0.16 percent to IDR 13,459 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index). The Federal Reserve's recent rate hike still seems to overshadow global investor sentiment.

Read more ›

The Federal Reserve decided - in line with expectations - to raise its benchmark Fed Funds Rate by 0.25 percent to the range of 0.50 - 0.75 percent, exactly one year after its first rate hike (in a decade). Furthermore, the Fed Chair Janet Yellen also indicated it sees three more interest rate hikes in 2017. This is a bit more hawkish than markets expected. Tighter monetary policy in the USA is required as the US labor market and growth in household spending improves. Inflation has also improved but remains below the Fed's 2 percent (y/y) target. Business investment, however, remains soft.

Read more ›

The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) announced that the country's foreign exchange reserves fell to USD $111.5 billion at the end of November 2016, from USD $115.0 billion in the preceding month. The USD $3.5 billion decline was caused by Bank Indonesia's efforts to stabilize the rupiah exchange rate as well as the government's external debt repayments. Despite the decline, Bank Indonesia regards the current level of forex reserves as healthy.

Read more ›

The Indonesian rupiah has been appreciated significantly over the past two days versus the US dollar. By 12:00 noon local Jakarta time on Wednesday (07/12), Indonesia's currency had strengthened 0.29 percent to IDR 13,331 per US dollar (based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index). Meanwhile, Bank Indonesia's Jakarta Interbank Spot Dollar Rate (JISDOR) appreciated 0.51 percent to IDR 13,336 per US dollar today. Lets zoom in on this performance.

Read more ›

Contrary to most other Asian stock indices, Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index opened in the green zone on Monday morning (05/12). While, most markets are plagued by the outcome of Italy's referendum on Sunday (and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announcing his resignation), Indonesian stocks still seem to continue with the relief rally after the peaceful anti-Ahok demonstration on Friday (02/12). However, rupiah weakness, particularly as the US Federal Reserve may raise rates can limit the rise of local stocks.

Read more ›

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.

Read more ›

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.

Read more ›

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.

Read more ›

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.

Read more ›

The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia, or BI) decided to maintain its record low policy rate for the 15th straight month at 5.75 percent as it is considered consistent with its inflation target range of 3.5-5.5 percent in 2013 and 2014. The central bank also stated that the global economic recovery is accompanied by many uncertainties which result in a lower forecast for Indonesia's economic growth. The full press release of Bank Indonesia can be read below.

Read more ›

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.

Read more ›

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.

Read more ›

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.

Read more ›

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.

Read more ›

The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) experienced a mixed week. At the start of the week, the index rose, but towards the end of the week it weakened, although ending in the green on Friday. Recently, the IHSG has hit record levels, and this makes market participants worried that the index might fall in case there emerge negative market sentiments. These concerns are what made the index turn away from the next psychological boundary: 5,000 points.

Read more ›