In line with expectation, the central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) decided to keep its key interest rate (BI rate) at 7.50 percent for a seven consecutive month in September’s Board of Governor’s meeting (17/09) as it aims to stabilize the rupiah amid global volatility caused by looming higher US interest rates and China’s hard landing (as well as yuan depreciation), while combating inflation which stood at 7.18 percent (y/y) in August. The overnight deposit facility rate and lending facility rate were left unchanged at 5.5 percent and 8 percent, respectively.

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Morgan Stanley Investment Management, a leading global investment firm, said it now considers Indonesia’s rupiah and Malaysia ringgit as the most attractive emerging-market currencies. Both currencies have been the worst-performing Asian currencies against the US dollar this year amid looming tighter monetary policy in the USA, low commodity prices and China’s economic slowdown (as well as a political scandal in Malaysia). The ringgit has depreciated 21 percent, while the rupiah has weakened 16.2 percent against the US dollar since the start of the year. Both currencies are touching 17-year lows.

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With all eyes on the two-day policy meeting of the Federal Reserve, we could almost forget that the central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) will also hold its monthly policy meeting today. Similar to the topic discussed in the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting (16-17 September), Bank Indonesia may consider raising its key interest rate (BI rate) as a Fed Fund Rate hike would trigger capital outflows, while Indonesia’s inflation rate remains high and the rupiah is fragile.

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Contrary to mostly rising Asian and global stock indices, Indonesia’s benchmark Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) fell 0.34 percent to 4,332.51 points on Wednesday (16/09) as the rupiah continues to slide against the US dollar causing concern about corporate earnings of listed companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange and eroding the value of Indonesian assets purchased by foreign investors. Outside Indonesia most markets were up as investors are in anticipation of a crucial two-day Federal Reserve policy meeting (16-17 September).

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Ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, the two-day policy meeting which starts today (16/09), the US dollar continues to appreciate against most currencies, including the Indonesian rupiah, as investors remain cautious ahead of a possible US interest rate hike. By 09:36 am local Jakarta time, the rupiah had depreciated 0.29 percent to IDR 14,450 per US dollar according to the Bloomberg Dollar Index, a fresh 17-year low.

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Indonesian stocks and the rupiah are having a tough day as investors are cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting (16-17 September), while Indonesia’s August 2015 trade surplus was slightly below analysts’ expectations. By 14:40 pm local Jakarta time, Indonesia’s benchmark Jakarta Composite Index had weakened 1.17 percent to 4,339.07 points, while the Indonesian rupiah had depreciated 0.47 percent to IDR 14,401 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index).

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While most Asian stock indices were mixed, Indonesia’s benchmark Jakarta Composite Index rose 0.69 percent to 4,390.37 points on Monday (14/09) with foreign investors recording a net buy of IDR 91.2 billion (approx. USD $6.5 million). Meanwhile, ahead of a crucial Federal Reserve meeting, the Indonesian rupiah depreciated 0.08 percent to IDR 14,333 per US dollar according to the Bloomberg Dollar Index.

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Based on data from the Inter Dealer Market Association, Indonesia’s ten-year sovereign bond yield climbed 31 basis points since 4 September 2015 to 9.24 percent, its highest level since 2010, on Friday morning (11/09) amid concern about the ailing rupiah. The rupiah has been under pressure as emerging market currencies have become unattractive ahead of a looming US interest rate hike and China’s recent decision to devalue its yuan (triggering concern about a currency war among Asia’s emerging currencies).

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According to credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Indonesian companies will have difficulty to pay their (growing) overseas debt in case the rupiah will touch IDR 15,000 per US dollar. Particularly as most Indonesian companies have to face declining profit and revenue growth due to curbed domestic demand amid Indonesia’s economic slowdown.

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Indonesian stocks and the rupiah started weak on Thursday morning (10/09), the day after the Indonesian government unveiled its first economic policy package. In line with the trend in the whole region this morning, most (emerging market) assets in Asia are declining on weak Chinese and Japanese economic data. These weak data cause heightened concern about sluggish global economic growth.

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Today, the Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) was under pressure from the start of the trading day. It was negatively affected by mixed Asian indices as well as yesterday's mixed American indices (where the Dow Jones Index weakened whereas other American indices gained). It made investors, in particular foreign investors, eager to sell parts of their stock portfolios. At the end of today's trading day, the IHSG stood at 4,994.52, a 0.34 percent fall compared to yesterday.

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Positive moving stock indices in America and Europe on Tuesday (responding to various good corporate Q1-2013 data) were able to offset negative influence caused by weak manufacturing data from China and Europe. As a result Asian indices rose on Wednesday, including the Indonesia Stock Index (IHSG) which managed to reach beyond the psychological boundary of 5,000 points. The index ended at the level of 5,011.61, a 0.73 percent gain compared to the previous trading day.

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Rising American and European stock indices last Friday, helped to support Asian stock indices today (22 April 2013), including the Indonesia stock index (IHSG). However, the ongoing drama brought on by last Saturday's earthquake in China, impacted on the China stock index as well as on other Asian stock indices, including the IHSG. As the IHSG has been showing signs that it is overbought, market participants preferred to sell portions of their stock portfolios, resulting in a limited fall of the IHSG.

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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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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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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.

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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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