As the Indonesian rupiah continued to depreciate on Thursday (04/06), touching a 17-year low, a central bank official tried to ease concerns by stating that Bank Indonesia is always in the foreign exchange and bond markets to monitor movements and ease volatility. On Thursday morning the bond yield, which has been rising since Friday (29/05), was 8.198 percent. Based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, Indonesia's rupiah had depreciated 0.11 percent to IDR 13,245 by 11:10 am local Jakarta time.

Read more ›

In line with other stock indices in Southeast Asia, Indonesia’s benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index) has been weakening since the start of trading on Wednesday (03/06). Yesterday’s weakening indices on Wall Street, concern about rising bond yields, worries about the possibility of a default by debt-ridden Greece, and weak macroeconomic data from Indonesia have all contributed to the negative performance of Indonesian stocks so far today. By 11:15 am local time, the Jakarta Composite Index had fallen 1.42 percent.

Read more ›

On 31 May 2015, Indonesia Investments released the latest edition of its newsletter. This free newsletter, which is sent to our subscribers once per week, contains the most important news stories from Indonesia that have been reported on our website in the last seven days. Most of the topics involve economic topics such as Indonesia’s GDP growth, a stocks and rupiah update, the IPO of Puradelta Lestari, Indonesia’s participation in a news Islamic infrastructure bank, the role of household consumption in the Indonesian economy, and more.

Read more ›

Most Asian stock markets are down on Wednesday (27/05), including Indonesia’s benchmark stock index (IHSG). The IHSG was down 0.95 percent to 5,270.22 points by 14:32 pm local Jakarta time. The poor performance of stocks across Asia today followed yesterday’s falling US stock markets. The Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all declined about 1 percent on US dollar strength after the release of several strong US economic data (supporting a US interest rate hike before the year-end) and heightened concerns about the debt crisis in Greece.

Read more ›

The Indonesian rupiah started the new trading week on a negative note. By 10:45 am local Jakarta time, the rupiah had depreciated 0.17 percent to IDR 13,181 per US dollar according to the Bloomberg Dollar Index. The primary reason for this performance is that the US dollar has strengthened globally after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen stated that she is convinced that the world will see the first US interest rate hike in almost a decade before the end of the year (provided that US economic data continue to improve).

Read more ›

Indonesian stocks continued to rise one day after the country’s central bank (Bank Indonesia) announced to leave the interest rate policy unchanged and, instead, choosing to loosen its macro-prudential policy by revising the LDR-RR regulation, LTV policy for mortgage loans and down payments on automotive loans, hence increasing liquidity and boosting credit growth in the banking sector. Indonesia's rupiah, however, depreciated sharply after the market opened on Wednesday (20/05) due to the strong US dollar.

Read more ›

Indonesia's central bank (Bank Indonesia) showed that it is committed to its relatively tight monetary stance as it left interest rates unchanged at its May Board of Governor’s Meeting. Despite pressures from the government and business players to cut interest rates (which would boost economic growth), Bank Indonesia maintained its key BI rate at 7.50 percent, the overnight deposit facility at 5.50 percent and the lending facility rate at 8.00 percent. In the first quarter of 2015 Indonesia’s economic growth had slowed to a disappointing 4.71 percent (y/y).

Read more ›

Indonesia’s rupiah continued to weaken on Monday’s trading day (18/05). The Indonesian rupiah had depreciated 0.22 percent to IDR 13,113 per US dollar by 12:08 pm based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index as market participants are waiting for results of the central bank’s Board of Governor’s Meeting, scheduled for Tuesday (19/05). At this meeting Indonesia’s central bank (Bank Indonesia) will discuss and determine its stance on the country’s interest rate environment. Currently, the key rate (BI rate) is set relatively high at 7.50 percent.

Read more ›

The Indonesian rupiah is again depreciating. On Tuesday (12/05), the rupiah had depreciated 0.39 percent to IDR 13,206 per US dollar by 11:51 am local Jakarta time based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index. The primary reason for this weak performance today is US dollar demand amid heightened concerns about Greece’s debt situation. Talks between the Greek leftist government and its international partners are heading toward a crucial phase. As a result, the greenback is appreciating against almost all Asian currencies.

Read more ›

The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) announced on Friday (08/05) that the country’s foreign exchange reserves fell approximately USD $700 million to USD $110.87 billion at the end of April 2015 (from USD $111.55 billion one month earlier). The decline was due to government foreign debt payments as well as central bank efforts to stabilize the rupiah currency amid the current volatile and uncertain (global and domestic) economic context. In April, the rupiah appreciated 0.8 percent against the US dollar.

Read more ›

Not only the upward movement of most Asian stock markets, but also a number of positive company reports (regarding corporate performances of 2012) supported the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) to reach a new record-high level of 4,928.10 on Wednesday, implying an 1.77% increase compared to the previous trading day. Moreover, American and European stock markets had ended higher on Tuesday due to positive data, thus discarding turmoil related to Cyprus.

Read more ›

After speculation began to spread that an agreement would be reached between Cyprus and Troika (made up of the European Union, the European Central Bank and the IMF), Asian stock markets went up, including the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG). Despite foreigners' appetite for selling Indonesian assets, the index rose as it was lifted by domestic market participants' appetite for purchasing those stocks that experienced a fall on the previous trading day.

Read more ›

The rise of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) at the start of today's session was not sustained. It disappointed market participants who were hoping that Indonesia's main index would continue its upward movement supported by strengthening American and European stock indices after it became known that Cyprus will stay in the Euro-zone and the Federal Reserve will continue its bond-buying program.

Read more ›

We had hoped for a continuation of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG)'s rebound after forming a green candle. It failed, however, due to negative market sentiments brought on by the bailout of Cyprus. Also, selling pressures on American stock markets late last week blocked a potential longer rally. The IHSG felt the impact of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) that fell after a weaker NY Empire State Manufacturing Index as well as Consumer Sentiment.

Read more ›

The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) rebounded after receiving support from positive American stock markets due to a fall in US jobless claims. American stock markets also influenced most other Asian stock markets in a positive way. Despite the fact that most foreign investors engaged in profit taking by selling Indonesian assets, the IHSG managed to gain 0.69 percent to the level of 4,819.32. Trade volume decreased, while total value of transactions rose.

Read more ›

On Thursday's trading day, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) was tame and weakened again. Foreign market participants were mostly selling their Indonesian assets and influenced domestic investors to behave similarly. Most other Asian stock markets, however, turned positive and were followed by good European openings. It did not prevent the IHSG from losing 49.07 points, or 1.01 percent to 4,786.37. Trade volume increased, while total value of transactions decreased.

Read more ›

Apparently, market participants were eagerly waiting for positive news regarding stimulus packages that various central banks will apply to boost local economies. Once the news spread, investors hunted for stocks that previously weakened. Moreover, increased manufacturing data from the USA and Europe contributed to positive market sentiments. Lastly, China indicated to maintain its economic pace of 7.5 percent GDP growth this year.

Read more ›

After continuously reaching new record-high levels last week, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) finally had to give up some of its gain and closed 1.04 percent lower. Declining Asian stock markets (excluding Japan's main index) and fears that the IHSG had already reached a (too) high level impacted on today's result. Market participants, who recently confirmed good corporate annual results of many companies by buying, now engaged in profit taking.

Read more ›

Today, the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) reached yet another new record high as most market participants used the current positive market sentiments to maintain their stock portfolios, although part of the investors also took the chance to engage in profit taking. Most Asian stock markets gained significantly which was followed by positive openings of European stock indices. Both developments impacted heavily on the IHSG.

Read more ›

Apparently, yesterday's decline was only a small stumbling block for the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG). Indonesia's main indicator rebounded strongly after feeling the effects of stronger American stock indices that were positively influenced by a rise in Housing Index and Consumer Confidence. Moreover, the IHSG accelerated its gain after Asian stock markets and the opening of Europe's stock indices were positive.

Read more ›