Our Financial Columns offer analyses of subjects related to the Indonesian financial markets. Together, these columns - that also have high news value in the current state of the Indonesian economy - intend to provide a clear and detailed picture regarding the structure and performance of these markets.
This week two domestic events need to be carefully watched by those who invest in Indonesian assets: (1) the local elections that are scheduled for Wednesday 27 June, and (2) Bank Indonesia's monthly policy meeting that is scheduled for 27-18 June. Lets take a closer look at these events.
Trading in shares of Bakrie & Brothers, which are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, have again been suspended by authorities (for the second time this month) due to a massive decline in the share price. The plunge occurred after Bakrie & Brothers conducted a 10:1 reverse stock split in late-May 2018. Through this corporate action the company reduced the total number of its outstanding shares.
There are 20 state-controlled, yet publicly-listed (on the Indonesia Stock Exchange) companies that have poor financial ratios, reflected by a high debt-to-equity ratio. This ratio indicates how much debt a company uses to finance its assets relative to the value of shareholders' equity, thus it measures a company's financial leverage. The ratio is calculated by dividing the company's total liabilities by its stockholders' equity.
One of the leading global credit rating agencies, Standard & Poor's (S&P), decided to keep Indonesia's sovereign rating at BBB-/stable outlook (investment grade status). This is a positive message considering Indonesia has recently been under heavy pressure amid volatile global capital flows. Meanwhile, Indonesia's current account deficit (CAD) widened significantly in the first quarter of 2018. Indonesia's current account balance (which turned into a structural deficit since late-2011) is among the concerns shared by credit rating agencies.
