The Indonesian rupiah exchange rate was relatively stagnant on Friday (15/08). Based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, the currency of Southeast Asia’s largest economy had depreciated 0.01 percent to IDR 11,680 per US dollar at 15:40 pm local Jakarta time. At the start of the day, the rupiah depreciated as market players were waiting for incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s state speech ahead of the country’s Independence Day on 17 August. Afterwards, the rupiah gained in line with the performance of other Asian currencies.

Lanjut baca ›

The Indonesian rupiah exchange rate appreciated 0.86 percent to IDR 11,678 per US dollar on Monday (11/08) according to the Bloomberg Dollar Index. The rupiah was supported by internal and external factors. On the internal side, the rupiah strengthened as the Constitutional Court is expected to dismiss defeated presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto’s appeal. Former army general Subianto challenged the official election result, claiming that massive violations occurred at polling stations and during the counting process.

Lanjut baca ›

The Indonesian rupiah exchange rate strengthened slightly on the last trading day of the week. On Friday (08/08), Indonesia’s currency appreciated 0.15 percent to IDR 11,779 per US dollar according to the Bloomberg Dollar Index. Most Asian currencies and stocks fell, while prices of gold and oil jumped, after US President Barack Obama agreed to air strikes in northern Iraq (aimed at Sunni extremist militants). In combination with continued tensions in Ukraine as well as Gaza, investors opt for risk aversion (and profit taking).

Lanjut baca ›

Amid falling stocks and government bonds, the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate depreciated 0.45% to IDR 11,751 per US dollar according to the Bloomberg Dollar Index on Wednesday (06/08). This weak performance is caused by recent solid economic data from the USA, while tensions in the Ukraine are increasing (causing investors to prefer to invest in safe havens) after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a response to sanctions. Meanwhile, the euro lost ground to the US dollar after Germany posted unexpected declining factory orders.

Lanjut baca ›

Despite the release of slowing Q2-2014 GDP growth as well as the June 2014 trade deficit, the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate appreciated 0.53 percent to IDR 11,698 against the US dollar according to the Bloomberg Dollar Index on Tuesday (05/08). This performance of Indonesia’s currency is in line with the performance of other emerging Asian currencies on today’s trading day. The US dollar weakened against almost all these currencies as lower US yields made investors decide to search for higher returns in Asia.

Lanjut baca ›

According to data from the Financial Services Authority (OJK), foreign banks operating in Indonesia have posted great profit growth in the January to May 2014 period. Combined, these foreign banks have recorded a 94.36 percentage point growth (year-on-year) in profit to IDR 3.79 trillion (USD $323.9 million) in the first five months of this year. The reason behind this jump in profit is the sharply depreciated rupiah exchange rate. Over the course of 2013, the rupiah fell over 25 percent against the US dollar.

Lanjut baca ›

Although the Indonesia stock exchange as well as most businesses are still closed on Friday (01/08) amid Idul Fitri celebrations, trading in the Indonesian rupiah resumed after a four-day holiday. Impacted by developments in the USA, the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate had depreciated 1.82 percent to IDR 11,791 per US dollar by 12:25 pm local Jakarta time (based on Bloomberg Index). Asian currencies are heading for the largest weekly decline since June 2014 after US economic data indicate improved economic recovery of the USA.

Lanjut baca ›

The benchmark stock index of Indonesia (Jakarta Composite Index, or IHSG) may reach a new record high level this week after market favourite Joko Widodo - popularly known as Jokowi - was officially announced the winner of the 2014 presidential election by the General Elections Commission (KPU) on Tuesday (22/07). Not unimportantly, the final decision was not accompanied by any riots or social unrest Jakarta or other parts of the Archipelago, thus giving investors some more peace of mind regarding the stability of Indonesian assets.

Lanjut baca ›

The Indonesian rupiah exchange rate came close to the IDR 12,000 per US dollar mark on Wednesday (18/06). Based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, Indonesia’s currency depreciated 0.87 percent to IDR 11,997 per US dollar. Bank Indonesia stated that the weakening is due to violence in northern Iraq (giving rise to a higher oil price which subsequently pressures the financial balance sheets of countries that import oil, such as Indonesia), and concern about results of the Federal Reserve meeting (17-18 June 2014).

Lanjut baca ›

The Indonesian rupiah exchange rate had depreciated 0.20 percent to IDR 11,819 per US dollar by 15:30pm local Jakarta time based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index. This performance is in line with the performance of other emerging currencies in Asia, which all tend to weaken against today’s strengthening US dollar. One of the factors that pressures on the rupiah is the geopolitical tensions in Iraq which have resulted in a rising oil price (last week the oil price rose by 4.5 percent).

Lanjut baca ›

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.

Lanjut baca ›

Although the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) was moving in the red zone for a while during today's trading day, in the end it recorded a small gain. Most other Asian stock indices, except for Hong Kong's Hang Seng and Shanghai, went up as well. High expectations about continued IHSG-growth, strong corporate results of companies, and continued robust foreign demand for Indonesian stocks pushed the index up.

Lanjut baca ›

Recent concerns about a global currency war, which is considered to threaten worldwide economic and financial stability, has prompted Indonesia's Economic minister Hatta Rajasa to ensure that Indonesia will not participate in such a tactic. The Central Bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) has in fact been selling US dollars to support the IDR rupiah, which has been under growing pressure lately due to Indonesia's current account deficit and the risk of capital outflows.

Lanjut baca ›

Rising Asian stock markets, particularly a strong Hang Seng (Hong Kong) that opened today after the Chinese new year celebrations, had a positive impact on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG). As had happened in previous years, the IHSG has the tendency to gain ahead of Valentine's day. Today, market participants received their special Valentine's gift: a new record-high IHSG level of 4601.95, although in the end it had to close a bit lower.

Lanjut baca ›

The upward movement of American and European stock indices yesterday, brought on due to positive internal sentiments in both regions, provided good support for Asian stock markets today. Apart from foreign influences, Asian stock markets were also supported by company reports that showed good corporate results in 2012. As such, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) also joined the green wave of Asian stock markets, and set a new record high.

Lanjut baca ›

A continued positive movement of the Nikkei index provided good support for the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) on Tuesday's trading day. Many Asian stock markets have not opened yet after the Chinese new year and therefore the Nikkei became the reference for the performance of the IHSG. Apart from the influence of the Nikkei, many Indonesian company reports that were published today, had a positive effect on the IHSG, resulting in a new record high.

Lanjut baca ›

It seems that the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) was blessed by the Chinese new year celebrations as it closed higher on Monday than on the previous trading day. This is a better performance than usual on the days around the new year. If we take a look at the period 2008-2012, the IHSG declined three times on the day before new year, and twice on the day after. This year, the IHSG declined on the day before by -0.26% and increased by 0.27 on the day after.

Lanjut baca ›

After rallying for three days to try to end on a new resistance level, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) finally had to retreat. As we suspected, the index weakened after its record high. Moreover, American and European indices were weak on Thursday, thus influencing the performance of the IHSG on Friday. Lastly, a number of Asian companies reported weak corporate reports that subsequently impacted on Asian stock indices, including the IHSG.

Lanjut baca ›

The positive response of Asian stock markets towards manufacture data from Europe, and the rebound of American and European stocks turned the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) back into green territory. Positive market sentiments impacted - as usual - on commodity stocks, particularly mining stocks, and which thus gained the most: Vale Indonesia (INCO), Antam (ANTM), Timah (TINS), and Resource Alam Indonesia (KKGI) all increased significantly.

Lanjut baca ›

On Tuesday's trading day, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) ended lower as widespread profit taking coloured transactions. Other Asian stock indices, such as the Nikkei (Japan) and Hang Seng (Hong Kong), fell hard and impacted on the performance of the IHSG. The publication of Indonesia's 2012 GDP growth also brought negative sentiments as its result (6.2%) was below expectations.

Lanjut baca ›