The Indonesian rupiah exchange rate continued to fall against the US dollar as the Japanese yen and Indian rupee depreciated. The yen fell because exports grew below expectation while the trade balance still recorded a trade deficit. The Indian rupee fell due to speculation that the country's central bank will raise its benchmark interest rate, even though economic growth has reached a low point.

| Source: Bank Indonesia


Asian stock indices were up due to investors' belief that the Federal Reserve will not tone down its monthly USD $85 billion bond-buying program. The depreciating yen, after trade data did not meet expectation, had a positive impact on stocks that are export oriented.

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