• IPO Mitra Keluarga Karyasehat on the Indonesia Stock Exchange

    On Tuesday (24/03), Indonesian hospital operator Mitra Keluarga Karyasehat became the second company to list on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in 2015. It turned out to be a highly successful initial public offering (IPO) as the company’s shares surged 24.7 percent on its trading debut, reflecting investors’ solid confidence in healthcare stocks. Mitra Keluarga, subsidiary of pharmaceutical company Kalbe Farma, raised IDR 4.4 trillion (USD $341 million), hence constituting the largest IPO since Garuda Indonesia’s IPO in 2011.

    Read more ›

  • Coffee Production in Indonesia to Improve in Coming Harvest Season

    Indonesia’s coffee production may hit a record high in the 2015-2016 harvest season according to a Bloomberg survey. The survey suggests that Indonesian coffee output is to rise 18 percent (y/y) to 650,000 metric tons from 550,000 tons in the previous season. Reason for a good coffee harvest is favorable weather (rain) having boosted yields. Indonesia is the world’s third-largest producer and exporter of robusta. Also in other parts of the world coffee production is estimated to increase, hence potentially placing pressure on prices.

    Read more ›

  • Indonesia Opens Room for Bauxite Export, Nickel Ore to Follow?

    Indonesian miners may be allowed to resume bauxite exports after a government official signalled that the Indonesian government is looking at relaxing its (raw) mineral export ban. This ban, implemented in January 2014, was introduced in an effort to boost domestic processing capacity, generate more revenue (by adding value to its mineral products) and enhance employment opportunities in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. However, amid the lack of domestic smelting capacity, the export ban has led to a plunge of exports.

    Read more ›

  • Indonesian Currency Update: Stronger Rupiah, Weaker US Dollar

    Indonesia’s rupiah exchange rate started the week on a firm tone as the US dollar weakened amid uncertainty over the timing of higher US interest rates. Contrary to initial expectation, the latest Federal Reserve meeting (held on 17-18 March) did not indicate that there will be a quick interest rate hike in the world’s largest economy hence boosting appetite for emerging market assets. In addition, the Indonesian government and central bank (Bank Indonesia) pledged to safeguard rupiah stability.

    Read more ›