Yesterday, Trans Power Marine made a solid debut on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG). The Indonesian shipping company listed 15 percent of its shares in the initial public offering (IPO) for the price of IDR 230 per share. At the end of the trading day, its shares had surged by 50 percent to IDR 345 (US $0.04). In total, the company gained IDR 90.85 billion (US $9.4 million) through the IPO. These funds will be used to buy new vessels.

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State-controlled airline Garuda Indonesia plans to raise capital through a rights issue in semester II of this year. Funds assembled through this issue will be used to expand the company's fleet. In 2011, Garuda issued 30 percent of its shares on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG) although the House of Representatives (DPR) had in fact approved up to 40 percent. The remaining 10 percent will thus be sold this year.

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For a long time, Astra International, one of Indonesia's largest diversified conglomerates and present in almost every sector of the country's economy, was the leading company regarding the highest market capitalization on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IHSG). Now, however, Astra has been overtaken by HM Sampoerna, Indonesia's largest tobacco company that controls 30 percent of the Indonesian tobacco market and is majority-owned by Philip Morris.

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The movement of Indonesia's benchmark stock index (known as IHSG or Jakarta Composite Index) on today's trading day (20/01) was rather volatile. Investors returned to the market after the fall of the index was limited at the end of last week. However, China's slowing economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2013 (7.7 percent) brought negative market sentiments. Still, foreign investors were net buyers of Indonesian stocks today and in combination with an appreciating rupiah exchange rate, the index rose 0.44 percent to 4,431.57 points.

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Based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, the Indonesia rupiah exchange rate had depreciated 0.18 percent to IDR 12,113 per US dollar at 14:45 local Jakarta time on Monday (20/01). The most important factor that caused this negative performance was China's slowing economic growth in quarter IV-2013. In the fourth quarter of 2013, China's GDP grew 7.7 percent, down from 7.8 percent in the previous quarter. This slowing growth indicates that China's economic 'recovery' is still fragile (China is among the five most important trade partners of Indonesia).

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On Thursday's trading day (16/01), Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index) fell victim to profit taking after two days of sharp gains (although the index did not came close to its gap at 4,393-4,398 points). The index was also pulled down due to the World Bank's pessimistic forecast for growth of Indonesia's economy as well as today's mixed Asian stock indices. Lastly, the continued Indonesia rupiah exchange rate depreciation contributed to negative market sentiments.

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Despite our concern that Indonesia's benchmark stock index (IHSG or Jakarta Composite Index) would be susceptible to profit taking after the national holiday on Tuesday (14/01) as the IHSG rose signficantly on Monday (13/01), it continued its rise on Wednesday (15/01). The IHSG was supported by positive Asian indices that were influenced by strong US and European stock markets after the release of positive economic data in the USA and Europe. The depreciating rupiah exchange rate, however, limited the IHSG's gain.

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On Wednesday (15/01), Indonesia's rupiah exchange rate depreciated 0.37 percent to IDR 12,095 per US dollar at 14:15 local Jakarta time. Global markets are again in anticipation of the Federal Reserve tapering issue after the Fed officials of Philadelphia and Dallas stated that they support an as-soon-as-possible winding down of the US stimulus program after the release of strong US retail data. The tapering will make it very hard for emerging currencies to gain against the US dollar. At 28-29 January, the Federal Reserve will hold its next meeting.

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Although Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) ended the first trading session down, it recovered in the second half of Wednesday's trading day (08/01). Investors were eager to buy stocks that have experienced a significant correction since May 2013. Moreover, as the Indonesia Stock Exchange reduced trading sizes to 100 shares per lot from 500 shares (to increase market liquidity and attract more retail investors), investors were able to benefit from these premium prices.

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As expected, the Jakarta Composite Index (abbreviated IHSG) continued its downward trend amid falling global indices. From the start of Tuesday's trading day (07/01), the IHSG had to face pressures resulting in foreign net selling. Apart from the weakening rupiah exchange rate, negative market sentiments were caused by the Goldman Sachs Group and JP Morgan Chase & Co that both downgraded emerging market economies. This led to a correction on Asian stock markets.

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Several factors can be mentioned that may explain the fall of the Jakarta Composite Index (Indonesia's benchmark stock index, abbreviated as IHSG) on Monday's trading day (06/01). These include a sell off of mining stocks (which subsequently negatively affected agricultural stocks) because of the approaching implementation of the ban on the export of unprocessed minerals, the continuing depreciating rupiah exchange rate, the impact of falling stock indices across Asia, and the higher price of 12 kilogram-cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

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On Friday (03/01), the benchmark stock index of Indonesia (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) ended 1.61 percent down to 4,257.66 points amid a majority of global indices declining after having experienced a short (window dressing-inspired) rally at the end of the year. The IHSG, which was not affected by the window dressing phenomenon, was dragged down after experiencing a four-day rally in the last week of 2013. Positive US employment data were unable to support global indices.

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As we approach the end of 2013 it is worth taking a look back to the performance of the stock market of Indonesia this year. At the start of the year, investors and analysts were positive that the country's benchmark stock index (known as the IHSG or Jakarta Composite Index) would post steady growth. Initial forecasts claimed that the IHSG could surpass the 5,000 points level by the end of 2013 from 4,300 at end-2012. The actual performance of the IHSG in fact exceeded expectations as in May 2013 the index moved beyond 5,200 points.

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