Indonesian assets made a remarkable performance on Monday (01/08). Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index surged 2.79 percent to 5,361.58 points, while the rupiah appreciated 0.50 percent to IDR 13,047 per US dollar. Indonesian stocks - by far - outperformed their counterparts in other Asian Pacific nations. Overall, the majority of Asian stocks rose today on the back of waning expectations of another US interest rate hike in the near future.

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After being in green territory for almost the entire trading day, Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index suddenly plunged into deep red in the last 1.5 hours of trading on Friday (29/07). HM Sampoerna, one of the largest companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in terms of market capitalization, shocked analysts by plunging 9.70 percent. Another huge company, Unilever Indonesia also put severe pressure on the Jakarta Composite Index by plunging 5.75 percent on Friday.

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Indonesian stocks and the rupiah performed well on the day that President Joko Widodo announced his cabinet reshuffle, while Japan announced a larger-than-expected economic stimulus package to boost the local economy. The benchmark stock index of Indonesia (Jakarta Composite Index) surged 0.96 percent to 5,274.36 points, while the Indonesian rupiah appreciated 0.29 percent to IDR 13,137 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index) on Wednesday (27/07). Lets take a closer look.

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Positive sentiments caused by the Group of 20 economies meeting in China have waned, hence most Asian stocks are lower on Tuesday (26/07). Instead, negative sentiments are caused by falling shares on Wall Street overnight as well as the declining crude oil price (touching a near three-month low). Market participants are also in 'wait and see-mode' ahead of the Federal Reserve's July two-day policy meeting (that starts later today) and the two-day policy meeting of the Bank of Japan that starts on Thursday.

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It was another impressive day at the office for the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) surged 1.35 percent to 5,242.82 points on Wednesday (21/07). After Thailand's benchmark index, the Jakarta Composite Index was the best performing index in Asia today. Overall, Asian markets were mixed as most investors seem to reassess the global economy after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decided to cut its global growth outlook (modestly) on Tuesday (19/07).

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In the post-Brexit reality, stocks have been performing well, worldwide, with the exception of the week of 4 July when markets were hit by profit-taking amid heightened concern about the world's economic fundamentals. Apart from that week (when Indonesian markets were closed for a public holiday) stocks have been rallying, fueled by optimism about monetary stimulus from key central banks. So far this week, gains in worldwide stocks reappeared, fed by a positive (but not too positive) US jobs report and the prospect of more stimulus from central banks.

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Asian markets performed well today on an upbeat US jobs report. Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index hit a 13-month high at 5,069.02 points after strengthening 1.97 percent on Monday (11/07), led by financials and consumer staples. In June the US economy added 287,000 jobs, beating forecasts and signalling that the US economy remains reasonably healthy. However, another Fed Funds Rate hike is still believed to be off the table and therefore investors started the week with strong appetite for riskier assets.

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After Indonesia's markets have been closed for one full week due to the Idul Fitri holiday, they are back open today (11/07). Because of last week's holiday, Indonesia's stock market has not experienced the sell-off that occurred in other markets in the week of 4 - 8 July. This sell-off followed a relief-rally in global markets after the Brexit vote decision: although shortly after Brexit, global shares gained on central bank's stimulus hopes, the sell-off emerged one week later as investors started to be concerned about the impact of Brexit and the economic fundamentals of Europe.

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Indonesian assets are under pressure on Friday (24/06) due to the exiting of the United Kingdom from the European Union (EU). After votes of yesterday's referendum were counted the so-called "Brexit"is a reality. Nearly 52 percent of the 16.1 million voters chose to depart from the EU. Shortly after the news UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced he is to step down in October. Meanwhile, global financial markets are in deep red territory as investors are in search of safe haven assets such as the US dollar, Japanese yen, Swiss franc, and gold.

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In line with other Asian assets, Indonesian stocks and the rupiah strengthened on Monday (20/06) as falling odds of a "Brexit" boosts risk appetite. Voters in the United Kingdom will decide in a referendum on Thursday (23/06) whether or not to remain part of the European Union (EU). An exit of the UK from the EU (the so-called "Brexit") is expected to cause a major global shock and flight to safety. The latest opinion polls, however, indicate a growing chance that the UK will remain part of the UK, hence causing a sigh of relief on global markets. Meanwhile, oil prices were up on the weakening US dollar.

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There were two options with regard to today's trading day (Monday 17 March 2014). First, the Jakarta Composite Index (Indonesia's benchmark stock index also known as IHSG) could rise further after its impressive 3.23 percent jump last Friday (14/03), and secondly, the bullish market could become vulnerable to profit taking as the 'Jokowi effect' tones down and no other factors could trigger positive market sentiments. It turned out to be the second option. Not even sharp rupiah appreciation could push the index in the green zone.

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A shock wave went through Indonesia's financial markets on Friday (14/03) after 15:00 local Jakarta time, when it became known that Joko Widodo (popularly known as Jokowi) is joining the presidential race for the July 2014 election. Moreover, he can count on full support from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), one of Indonesia's largest political parties, led by chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri. Few people doubt that Jokowi - current Governor of Jakarta - will be elected as the next president of Indonesia.

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Despite technical indicators pointing toward a potential rise of Indonesia's benchmark stock index (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG), foreign net selling on Wednesday's trading day (12/03) caused the 0.42 percent decline to 4,684.38 points. Only two sectors recorded a positive performance today: consumer goods and property. Companies that did particularly well were Danayasa Arthatama, Metropolitan Land, Agung Podomoro Land, Siantar Top, and Kedawung Setia Industrial.

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Although we advise investors to remain careful as any negative sentiment will be used as a valid reason for profit taking, Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) was up from the start of the trading day on Tuesday (11/03). The start of dividend payouts helped to offset concerns about possible interest rate hikes (in emerging markets) as well as the impact of weak indices on Wall Street and Europe on Monday (10/03). Asian stock indices, however, were positive on Tuesday, thus providing support for the IHSG.

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At the start of the week, Indonesia's benchmark stock index (the Jakarta Composite Index of IHSG) has the tendency to decline as market participants are eager to engage in profit taking. The release of China’s weak export data (resulting in a trade deficit) at the end of last week in combination with the widening current account deficit of Japan (and its slowing GDP growth) provided enough reasons for investors to opt for profit taking. Moreover, Asian stock markets were in the red and were thus unable to support the IHSG.

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On the last day of the week (07/03), Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) fell 0.04 percent to 4,685.89 points as market participants engaged in profit taking (cashing in on the recent strong performance of the IHSG) amid resurging concerns about the situation in Ukraine. On the other hand, losses were limited as investors are upbeat about the improved outlook for the global economy. US data were good as the number of people who filed for unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level in three months.

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Rising indices on Wall Street on Tuesday (04/03) impacted positively on Asian indices the following day, including Indonesia's benchmark stock index (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG). As the political tensions in Ukraine have somewhat eased since Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia was not seeking to escalate the conflict, investors were again eager to invest in emerging market stocks; foreign investors were net buyers. Today's performance of the IHSG left a gap at 4,602-4,621 points.

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Yesterday (26/02) strengthening Asian stock indices were unable to push the benchmark index of Indonesia (Jakarta Composite Index/IHSG) into the green zone. Today (Thursday 27 February), we witnessed the contrary: the IHSG climbed 0.80 percent to 4,568.94 points, while Asian indices were mixed. Indices in China, the Sensex and the Nikkei fell, while others rose. Those that rose responded positively toward the release of higher sales of new US single-family homes. However, the conflict in the Ukraine limited their growth.

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When there are few positive sentiments that can push Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index, also known as IHSG) into higher territory there is always the risk of downreversal due to profit taking. Particularly as the IHSG has shown a steady rising trend in recent weeks. The IHSG's decline on Monday (24/02) was influenced by falling Asian indices after a sell off of property and construction stocks emerged. The continued appreciation of the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate was also unable to provide enough support for the index.

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Foreign confidence in Indonesia's capital markets seems to be growing further after foreign investors continued to expand their stock portfolios last week. In February 2014 (up to Friday 21/02), foreigners purchased IDR 36.0 trillion (USD $3.1 billion) worth of stocks and sold IDR 29.3 trillion (USD $2.5 billion), resulting in net foreign buying of 6.7 trillion (USD $570.2 million) in the first three weeks of February 2014. When foreign net buying of January 2014 is added, total net foreign buying reached IDR 9.0 trillion (USD $766.0 million).

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