Agus Martowardojo, the governor of Indonesia's central bank (Bank Indonesia), provided some new forecasts with regard to Indonesia's economic growth and rupiah. On Tuesday (06/06) Martowardojo told at a parliamentary hearing that he expects the rupiah to depreciate modestly in 2018, while economic growth should accelerate. Meanwhile, Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said Indonesia's state budget deficit is estimated to widen slightly more-than-expected in 2017.

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On early Monday morning we detect light trading in Asian stock markets. This is mainly because markets in the USA, United Kingdom and China are closed for a public holiday today (29/05), while investors are also awaiting speeches from Federal Reserve and European Central Bank (ECB) officials as well as the US jobs report (due on 2 June). Meanwhile, North Korea again caused rising tensions as it launched another ballistic missile in its latest test.

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Most Asian stocks are in the green zone on Monday morning (22/05), tracking Wall Street's performance on Friday where investors' attention shifted from recent political drama - related to US President Donald Trump - to good corporate earnings of Deere and Caterpillar. Meanwhile, rising crude oil ahead of the OPEC meeting on Friday (May 25, 2017) added positive sentiments to markets. Indonesia is again on track to finish at a new all-time record high.

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It is not a good day for stocks across the Asia-Pacific today. After US stocks on Wall Street tumbled overnight on persistent concerns about political stability in the USA - as President Donald Trump allegedly tried to interfere in a federal investigation by urging former FBI chief James Comey to end a probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's ties with Russia - Asian stocks are following suit on Thursday (18/05).

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Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index fell 0.56 percent to 5,615.49 points on Wednesday (17/05), in line with the performance of stocks across the Asia-Pacific region. The weak performance is caused by increasing concern about the controversial actions and policies of US President Donald Trump. After the emergence of several new scandals over the past couple of days more and more people assume Trump will not be able to finish his presidential term as calls for impeachment are heard.

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Starting from March 5, 2018, Indonesian citizens as well as foreigners need to be a bit more careful when bringing foreign-denominated cash money into Indonesia. A new Bank Indonesia regulation sets a IDR 1 billion (approx. USD $75,000) ceiling on the total amount of foreign cash money an individual can bring into Indonesia.

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Sugeng, Deputy Governor of Indonesia's central bank (Bank Indonesia),  confirmed on Monday morning (08/05) that his institution has recently been intervening in the foreign exchange market in an effort to limit sharp rupiah appreciation. So far in 2017 the Indonesian rupiah has appreciated 1.11 percent against the US dollar with most of the rupiah's advance stemming from the first month of the year.

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As widely expected, the Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged after May's two-day policy meeting that was concluded on Wednesday (03/05). The US central bank also delivered a rather hawkish policy statement, downplaying weak Q1-2017 economic growth and emphasizing the strength of the US labor market. This implies the Fed is still on track for two more rate hikes in the remainder of 2017.

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Yesterday's Jakarta gubernatorial election seems to have little impact on the performance of Indonesian stocks and the rupiah today (20/04). While Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index is cautiously higher (in line with the general trend of Asian stocks this morning), the Indonesian rupiah had depreciated 0.10 percent to IDR 13,332 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index) by 10:00 am local Jakarta time on Thursday (20/04). The rupiah performance is slightly out of tune with most other Asian currencies but its weakening is still rather insignificant.

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It was a good day for Indonesian stocks on Wednesday (29/03) as the nation's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) hit a new record high at 5.592.51 points, one day after Indonesian markets had been closed for a public holiday. Not only Indonesia but most Asian stocks rose on Wednesday - in line with expectations - following Wall Street higher overnight where the Trump stock rally seems back on track, especially after positive new economic data.

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The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) rebounded after receiving support from positive American stock markets due to a fall in US jobless claims. American stock markets also influenced most other Asian stock markets in a positive way. Despite the fact that most foreign investors engaged in profit taking by selling Indonesian assets, the IHSG managed to gain 0.69 percent to the level of 4,819.32. Trade volume decreased, while total value of transactions rose.

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On Thursday's trading day, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) was tame and weakened again. Foreign market participants were mostly selling their Indonesian assets and influenced domestic investors to behave similarly. Most other Asian stock markets, however, turned positive and were followed by good European openings. It did not prevent the IHSG from losing 49.07 points, or 1.01 percent to 4,786.37. Trade volume increased, while total value of transactions decreased.

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Apparently, market participants were eagerly waiting for positive news regarding stimulus packages that various central banks will apply to boost local economies. Once the news spread, investors hunted for stocks that previously weakened. Moreover, increased manufacturing data from the USA and Europe contributed to positive market sentiments. Lastly, China indicated to maintain its economic pace of 7.5 percent GDP growth this year.

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After continuously reaching new record-high levels last week, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) finally had to give up some of its gain and closed 1.04 percent lower. Declining Asian stock markets (excluding Japan's main index) and fears that the IHSG had already reached a (too) high level impacted on today's result. Market participants, who recently confirmed good corporate annual results of many companies by buying, now engaged in profit taking.

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Today, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) reached yet another new record high as most market participants used the current positive market sentiments to maintain their stock portfolios, although part of the investors also took the chance to engage in profit taking. Most Asian stock markets gained significantly which was followed by positive openings of European stock indices. Both developments impacted heavily on the IHSG.

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Apparently, yesterday's decline was only a small stumbling block for the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG). Indonesia's main indicator rebounded strongly after feeling the effects of stronger American stock indices that were positively influenced by a rise in Housing Index and Consumer Confidence. Moreover, the IHSG accelerated its gain after Asian stock markets and the opening of Europe's stock indices were positive.

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On Tuesday's trading day, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) was not able to maintain its record breaking upward movement. China's possible decision to limit credit growth in the property sector and the election in Italy contributed significantly to the decline of the IHSG. Moreover, it was influenced by poor openings of European stock markets. Investors thus decided to engage in profit taking, while waiting for further global developments.

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The combination of the downgrade of Britain's government bond rating to AA1, China's plan to limit its property growth, and a decline in the HSBC Manufacturing PMI, was not able to block the growth of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) today. In particular the purchase appetite of foreign investors made the index move to a new record high. Positive openings of European stock markets also provided a boost for the IHSG.

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Despite negative influence of stock markets in America, Europe and China, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) managed to record a gain. During Friday's intraday trade, Indonesia's main indicator moved flat. However, stimulus from indices in Japan, Australia and Singapore, made it rise. Foreigners continued to buy Indonesian assets, while various companies reported good corporate results (such as Bank Rakyat Indonesia, Bank Danamon, Bank Cimb Niaga, Hero Supermarket).

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Today, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) had to give up its upward movement. Indonesia's main indicator, that moved in the red zone during the whole day, was affected by profit taking, and although on previous occasions the index successfully passed beyond the forming of a 'shooting star', today it failed. Its movement further away from the upper bollinger band led to the assumption that the IHSG will test its next support level.

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