The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) decided to keep its doors closed on Wednesday (19/04) as the people of Jakarta will vote in the second (and final) round of the Jakarta gubernatorial election. Earlier, Indonesian President Joko Widodo had already declared Wednesday 19 April 2017 a public holiday for the citizens in Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta. Meanwhile, Bank Indonesia stated that it will keep operations at a minimum on voting day.

Lanjut baca ›

Most listed companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange have now released their corporate earnings reports (covering full-year 2016) and this enables us to determine which companies' shares have been the most lucrative ones last year. Four companies stand out in terms of return on asset (RoA), return on equity (RoE), and return on invested capital (RoIC). These are (1) Matahari Department Store, (2) Unilever Indonesia, (3) Surya Citra Media, and (4) HM Sampoerna.

Lanjut baca ›

Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index fell on Friday (07/04), in line with the performance of most Asian stock markets, after the USA attacked a Syrian air base with 59 cruise missiles in the early morning hours. This attack contributed to the "risk-off" sentiments in Asia today (with the exception of the Philippines where stocks rose on expectation of good GDP growth in Q1-2017). Indonesia's benchmark stock index fell 0.47 percent to 5,653.49 points at the week's last trading day.

Lanjut baca ›

Improving corporate earnings of Indonesia's listed companies in full-year 2016 should mean shareholders can expect to receive more dividend payouts this year. Based on data from Kustodian Sentral Efek Indonesia (KSEI), so far this year 33 listed companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange have announced their payout ratio. However, many more are expected to follow. Considering the generally improving financial reports, we expect more companies to distribute dividend in 2017 compared to last year's 248 listed companies.

Lanjut baca ›

Indonesian stocks continue to expand into record high territory. On Wednesday (05/04) Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index gained 0.45 percent to close at 5,676.98 points, a fresh new record high position. Indonesia's main stock index is currently "hot" due to several internal and external factors. However, a new report released by Morgan Stanley may make investors a bit cautious as valuations for Indonesian stocks have been rising sharply recently.

Lanjut baca ›

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.

Lanjut baca ›

After having experienced overall weakening corporate earnings in 2015, Indonesia's largest companies saw rising net profit in full-year 2016 (in line with Indonesia's accelerating macroeconomic expansion last year). Of the ten biggest Indonesian companies (biggest in terms of largest market capitalization on the Indonesia Stock Exchange) only cigarette manufacturer Gudang Garam is yet to release its full-year 2016 financial results. The combined results of the other nine showed a marked improvement from the situation one year earlier.

Lanjut baca ›

Ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting (14-15 March) investor sentiment remains subdued with thin trade in Asia's stock markets. Most, if not all, market participants expect the Fed to raise its benchmark Fed Funds Rate by 25 basis points supported by recently strong US jobs reports. The main questions now are whether the US rate hike is already priced in (in markets) or will we see big (yet temporary) capital outflows from emerging markets, including Indonesia? And secondly, will the Fed raise its interest rate environment faster than expected in the remainder of 2017?

Lanjut baca ›

Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index fell 0.32 percent to 5,391.21 points on Friday (03/03), while the Indonesian rupiah depreciated 0.19 percent to IDR 13,383 against the US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index). The performance of Indonesian stocks and the currency was in line with the performance of its counterparts in Asia. Asian shares were tracking losses on Wall Street overnight where profit-taking kicked in as US indices have been in rally-mode since Donald Trump won the presidential election in November 2016.

Lanjut baca ›

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.

Lanjut baca ›

Despite technical indicators suggesting further upward movement of Indonesia's benchmark stock index (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG), a positive performance of the index was blocked by external factors. Several Asian stock indices were down responding to Markit's lower US manufacturing PMI (slipping to 55.5 from 57.1 in February 2014). Similarly, China and the Eurozone's manufacturing data showed slowing growth. Continued appreciation of the rupiah exchange rate managed to limit the decline of the IHSG.

Lanjut baca ›

At the start of the new week, Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) was able to continue to climb, supported by positive Asian indices. Today, investors took advantage of discounted stocks in Asia as markets had fallen after the Federal Reserve's announcement last week that the quantitative easing program would be wound down further as well as a possible US interest rate hike in 2015 and 2016. However, the IHSG was also vulnerable to profit taking. Therefore, today's gain was limited.

Lanjut baca ›

The US Federal Reserve's plan to increase interest rates is a serious threat to the stock and bonds markets of emerging markets, including Indonesia, in 2014. The higher Fed Fund rate will result in a high cost bonds-climate in Indonesia. The Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday (19/03) that it continues to cut its quantitative easing program (QE3) by USD $10 billion in March 2014 as well as aims for an interest rate hike six months after the 'tapering' has ended. With the current pace, QE3 is expected to end in December 2014.

Lanjut baca ›

We expected that Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index (the country's benchmark stock index also known as IHSG) would continue to weaken on Wednesday's trading day (19/03) but net buying by foreign investors managed to push the index back into green territory. During the first two days of this week, the IHSG fell as euphoria over Joko Widodo's announcement to run for president in the 2014 elections faded. Last week, the market showed that they approve of Widodo as the IHSG climbed 3.23 percent on Friday (14/03).

Lanjut baca ›

Previously we were hoping that if global stock indices would turn positive, it could limit the fall of Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) as the 'Jokowi effect' has definately worn off. On Tuesday (18/03), investors continued to engage in profit taking causing the IHSG to plunge 1.45 percent to 4,805.61 points. While most Asian indices were up, influenced by rising indices on Wall Street and in Europe on the previous trading day (17/03), the IHSG deviated sharply from the Asian trend today.

Lanjut baca ›

There were two options with regard to today's trading day (Monday 17 March 2014). First, the Jakarta Composite Index (Indonesia's benchmark stock index also known as IHSG) could rise further after its impressive 3.23 percent jump last Friday (14/03), and secondly, the bullish market could become vulnerable to profit taking as the 'Jokowi effect' tones down and no other factors could trigger positive market sentiments. It turned out to be the second option. Not even sharp rupiah appreciation could push the index in the green zone.

Lanjut baca ›

Despite technical indicators pointing toward a potential rise of Indonesia's benchmark stock index (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG), foreign net selling on Wednesday's trading day (12/03) caused the 0.42 percent decline to 4,684.38 points. Only two sectors recorded a positive performance today: consumer goods and property. Companies that did particularly well were Danayasa Arthatama, Metropolitan Land, Agung Podomoro Land, Siantar Top, and Kedawung Setia Industrial.

Lanjut baca ›

Although we advise investors to remain careful as any negative sentiment will be used as a valid reason for profit taking, Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) was up from the start of the trading day on Tuesday (11/03). The start of dividend payouts helped to offset concerns about possible interest rate hikes (in emerging markets) as well as the impact of weak indices on Wall Street and Europe on Monday (10/03). Asian stock indices, however, were positive on Tuesday, thus providing support for the IHSG.

Lanjut baca ›

At the start of the week, Indonesia's benchmark stock index (the Jakarta Composite Index of IHSG) has the tendency to decline as market participants are eager to engage in profit taking. The release of China’s weak export data (resulting in a trade deficit) at the end of last week in combination with the widening current account deficit of Japan (and its slowing GDP growth) provided enough reasons for investors to opt for profit taking. Moreover, Asian stock markets were in the red and were thus unable to support the IHSG.

Lanjut baca ›

ICRA Indonesia, an independent credit rating agency and subsidiary of ICRA Ltd. (associate of Moody's Investors Service), publishes a monthly newsletter which provides an update on the financial and economic developments in Indonesia of the last month. In the February 2014 edition, a number of important topics that are monitored include Indonesia's inflation rate, the trade balance, the current account deficit, the IDR rupiah exchange rate, and gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Below is an excerpt of the newsletter:

Lanjut baca ›