Investors were not happy to see the parliamentary election result of Indonesia on Wednesday (09/04). The fragmented outcome implies continued political uncertainty toward the July 2014 presidential election. None of the Indonesian political parties were able to secure a majority in the legislative election, meaning it will be more difficult to pursue a clear and steady political course over the next five years. The PDI-P, which was forecast to secure an impressive victory on the 'Jokowi effect', was unable to record a large victory.

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On Tuesday (08/04), Wijaya Karya Beton (Wika Beton) was officially listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) with listed company code WTON. Wika Beton, a subsidiary of majority state-owned construction company Wijaya Karya, specializes in the precast concrete industry of Indonesia. The company issued two billion shares, or 23.47 percent of its enlarged capital, and expects to raise up to IDR 1.28 trillion (USD $113 million), which will be used for business expansion and for additional working capital.

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Eka Sari Lorena, an Indonesia-based transportation company, is the next company that will conduct an initial public offering (IPO) on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in order to gain funds for further business expansion. Last year, Eka Sari Lorena was denied to go public as it did not get approval from market regulators. After securing approval this year, the company offers 150 million shares (43 percent of its enlarged equity) in an IPO which starts today (01/04). Its listing on the Indonesia Stock Exchange is scheduled for 15 April 2014.

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Pembangunan Perumahan (PP), an Indonesia-based government-controlled construction and investment company, plans to list its subsidiary PP Properti on the Indonesia Stock Exchange through an initial public offering (IPO). The subsidiary is expected to list 30 percent of its shares on the stock exchange and aims to raise between IDR 1.2 and 1.5 trillion (roughly USD $119 million) through this corporate action. The IPO is planned to be conducted in the first quarter of 2015. The possible lead underwriters are Mandiri Sekuritas and Bahana Securities.

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PTT Plc, a Thailand-based energy company which conducts coal mining activities in Sebuku, Jambayan and Laung (all on the island of Kalimantan), is planning to list its subsidiary, Sakari Resources, on the Indonesia Stock Exchange through an initial public offering (IPO). PTT Plc has been active in Indonesia's mining sector since 2008 when it acquired a 94 percent stake in (Singapore-listed) Sakari Resources. After the acquisition, Sakari Resources delisted from the Singapore Stock Exchange.

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Beritasatu Media Holdings in cooperation with the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) officially launched its Index Investor33 on Friday (21/03). This index consists of 33 listed companies at the IDX that share strong fundamentals, assessed through both technical and fundamental analyses. According to Hoesen, Director of Corporate Valuation at the IDX, the 33 companies have influenced the performance of the Jakarta Composite Index (Indonesia's benchmark stock index) considerably in recent years.

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The Indonesian rupiah exchange rate and benchmark stock index (IHSG or Jakarta Composite Index) both plunged severely after the US Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday (19/03) to cut another USD $10 billion from its bond-buying program (quantitative easing). Moreover, speculation arose that US interest rates may increase in 2015 (the US central bank had kept interest rates close to zero for over five years to stimulate economic growth). It led to tumbling stocks, bonds and currencies across Asia on Thursday (20/03).

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According to the prospectus that was published on Monday (17/03), Graha Layar Prima will offer 140 million new shares, or 46.11 percent of the company's enlarged capital, to investors in an initial public offering (IPO) on the Indonesia stock exchange (IDX). Graha Layar Prima operates a cinema chain (known as Blitzmegaplex) that is present in several big Indonesian cities, including Jakarta, Bandung, Bekasi, Tangerang and Balikpapan. Funds that are gained through the IPO will all be used for the establishment of seven new cinemas.

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Indonesia's new Financial Services Authority (OJK) is currently processing plans of several companies that intend to conduct their initial public offering (IPO) on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the first quarter of 2014. Continued enthusiasm of companies for a listing on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) indicates bullish sentiment. Director of the IDX, Ito Warsito, expects a total of 15 new listings in Q1-2014, while the target for full year 2014 remains at 30. In 2013, 31 companies were added on the IDX.

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With the new minimum requirement regarding the free float of shares (the portion of shares that are in the hands of public investors) at 7.5 percent of a company’s total enlarged capital, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) urges companies that do not meet this requirement to conduct a rights issue in order to raise the number of publicly issued shares. One of these companies is HM Sampoerna, Indonesia's largest tobacco company. Currently, 98.18 percent of the company is owned by international cigarette and tobacco giant Philip Morris.

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Although the benchmark stock index of Indonesia (known as Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) was in the red zone prior to the release of Indonesia’s June inflation figure and May trade data, at the end of the day it finished slightly in the green zone. The IHSG climbed 0.13 percent to 4,884.83 points. The macroeconomic data that were released were positive and made market participants engage in stock trading. Moreover, the index was supported by Asian stock markets that were mostly up as well as the appreciating rupiah exchange rate.

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Despite Hong Kong’s falling Hang Seng Index (HSI), the benchmark stock index of Indonesia (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) managed to climb 0.69 percent to 4,878.58 points on Monday (30/06). A number of reasons can be cited that positively influenced the performance of the IHSG. These are higher US Michigan Consumer Sentiment, positive forecasts for tomorrow’s release of June inflation and the May trade balance of Indonesia, declining global oil prices and the appreciating Indonesian rupiah exchange rate.

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The performance of Indonesia’s benchmark stock index (known as Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) was similar to the performance at the start of last week, possibly influenced by the presidential debates that took place a day prior to the past two Mondays. These debates, between the two presidential candidates (Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto), are broadcast live on national television and are important to outline each candidate’s vision and mission to the people. On 9 July 2014, Indonesians will vote for a new leader.

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The benchmark stock index of Indonesia (Jakarta Composite Index, abbreviated IHSG) declined 0.34 percent to 4,847.70 points on Friday (20/06). Trade was thin on this week’s last trading day with only about 3.4 billion shares - valued at IDR 3.8 trillion (USD $319 million) - being traded on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (well below the average daily value of IDR 6.1 trillion). Foreign investors accounted for 48 percent of total trading, recording net buying worth of IDR 31.3 billion (USD $2.6 million).

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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 May 2014 edition, a number of important topics that are monitored include Indonesia's inflation rate, the trade balance, the BI rate, the IDR rupiah exchange rate, and gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Below is an excerpt of the newsletter:

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Although at the end of Wednesday’s trading day (11/06) Indonesia’s benchmark stock index (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) was up, the index had been moving in the red zone during most of the day. Moreover, the index did not get support from the Indonesia rupiah exchange rate nor did it get support from Asian stock indices which tended to decline after yesterday’s weakening indices on Wall Street. Fortunately, foreign investors recorded net buying, thus contributing to the 0.52 percent growth of the IHSG to 4,971.95 points.

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Just as unexpected as yesterday when the benchmark stock index of Indonesia (known as Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) fell 1.06 percent amid positive domestic and international circumstances, the IHSG made a surprise rebound on Tuesday’s trading day. Yesterday’s fall was exorbitant and unfounded and today market participants made up for that performance by accumulating stocks that had lost value. As a result the IHSG gained 1.25 percent to 4,946.09 points on Tuesday (10/06).

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Contrary to most Asian stock indices which were positively influenced by Japan’s higher economic growth as well as rising indices on Wall Street last Friday (06/06), the benchmark stock index of Indonesia (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) fell considerably on Monday (09/06). Not even the appreciating Indonesian rupiah exchange rate could push the index back into the green zone. At the end of Monday’s trading day, the Jakarta Composite Index declined 1.06 percent to 4,885.08 points.

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It was interesting to follow the performance of the benchmark stock index of Indonesia (Jakarta Composite Index, abbreviated IHSG) on Thursday (05/06) as it managed to enter the green zone just minutes ahead of closing. Most of the trading day, the index had been in the red zone as Asian stock indices were mostly down on concerns about economic growth in China, the world's second largest economy. Furthermore, investors are still cautiously following the recent depreciating trend of the Indonesian rupiah.

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Although Indonesian Finance Minister Chatib Basri provided positive news to the market by stating that the country's trade deficit (and co-related current account deficit) will probably not be as large in the second quarter of 2014 (as compared to the same quarter in 2013) as well as an expected increase in Indonesian banks' consumer credit, the benchmark stock index (known as Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) was unable to rise on Wednesday's trading day (04/06). Particularly local investors were eager to sell their Indonesian shares.

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