Although challenges persist, Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index) is estimated to rise in 2016, surpassing the level of 5,000 points. Last year the index fell 12.13 percent to close at 4,593.01 points. In particular Indonesia's infrastructure, banking, consumption, cement, property and construction sectors are expected to post a good performance this year on the back of accelerated domestic economic growth supported by government spending and the recent economic stimulus packages.

Read more ›

The last trading day of 2015 on the Indonesia Stock Exchange has passed and now it is time to look back on the performance of Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index) and the rupiah during 2015. The year 2015 was a hectic year, characterized by volatile behavior due to uncertainty about the timing of the looming US interest rate hike (which was finally decided upon by the Federal Reserve in December 2015) and the economic slowdown of China.

Read more ›

Stock indices in Southeast Asia plunged on Friday (18/12), led by benchmark indices in Thailand and Indonesia. These Asian markets followed the global correction that occurred after investors weighed in the possible impact of the Federal Reserve's interest rate hike. US and European stocks dropped on Thursday and Friday, while prices of oil and other commodities continued to slide. Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index fell 1.92 percent to 4,468.65 points.

Read more ›

After the rally on Thursday (responding positively to the Federal Reserve's announcement to raise its Fed Fund Rate), Indonesian assets are weakening on Friday (18/12) while most other Asian markets are down. Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index was down 1.20 percent to 4,501.34 points by 09:45 am local Jakarta time, while the Indonesian rupiah had depreciated 0.22 percent to IDR 14,040 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index). As such, Indonesian stocks are following the example of US stocks that plunged overnight.

Read more ›

Indonesian stocks and the rupiah responded highly positive to the decision of the US Federal Reserve to raise its key Fed Fund Rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday (16/12). Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index) soared 1.62 percent to 4,555.96 points, while the rupiah appreciated 0.44 percent to IDR 14,009 per US dollar. Not only in Indonesia but also globally stocks thrived on the ending of prolonged uncertainty about the timing of the US interest rate hike.

Read more ›

The US Federal Reserve finally decided to raise the Fed Fund Rate by 25 basis points at its December policy meeting (15-16 December) on a considerable improvement in US labor market conditions (the US unemployment rate having fallen to 5 percent) and US inflation projected to meet the Fed's 2 percent target over the medium term. After this announcement US stocks soared. Emerging markets were not hit by severe capital outflows after the rate hike. Asian stock indices strengthened sharply on Thursday morning (17/12).

Read more ›

Stock markets in Asia are experiencing rough weather as investors pull funds out of emerging markets. By 11:25 am local Jakarta time, Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index had plunged 1.11 percent to 4,344.69 points, while the rupiah had depreciated 0.54 percent to IDR 14,068 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index). Investors are seeking safe(r) haven assets as the Federal Reserve is expected to raise its key Fed Fund Rate (for the first time in almost a decade) at its next FOMC meeting (scheduled for 15-16 December).

Read more ›

On the last trading day of the week, Indonesian stocks plunged 1.63 percent to 4,393.52 points, while the rupiah depreciated 0.22 percent to IDR 13,984 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index). Most Asian indices were weaker as investors are bracing for - most likely - the first Fed Fund Rate hike in nearly a decade. On 15-16 December the US Federal Reserve will hold a crucial policy meeting. Tighter monetary policy in the USA leads to capital outflows from Indonesia as the country is regarded particularly vulnerable to such a move.

Read more ›

Asian stock indices - including Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index which reopened after a market holiday - were mostly in red territory on Thursday (10/12) as investors are cautious ahead of the looming US interest rate hike, expected to be decided upon at the Federal Reserve's next policy meeting (15-16 December), as well as low oil prices and falling US stocks overnight. Moreover, the central bank of China allowed its yuan to depreciate further (to a near four-month low), hence resulting in the resurgence of some fears of a currency war in Asia.

Read more ›

Indonesian radio broadcasting company Mahaka Radio Integra, part of the Mahaka Group, plans to acquire one radio station in Jakarta as well as two new radio stations in Medan and Makassar in 2016. Through these acquisitions the company aims to control a 30-40 percent market share in the nation's radio industry by 2017. To finance these corporate actions Mahaka Radio Integra will use part of proceeds from the initial public offering (IPO) on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) this month.

Read more ›

After having recorded a five-day winning streak, Indonesia's benchmark stock index (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) fell 0.10 percent to 4,892.29 points on Monday (21/04). The forming of a doji star and limited movement of the IHSG (due to reduced buying volume) implied that - without the publication of good news triggering positive market sentiments - the index would decline. Today's depreciation of the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate and mixed Asian indices were reasons for investors to engage in profit taking.

Read more ›

At least 17 Indonesian companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) have announced to pay out dividends to shareholders for the financial year 2013. The payouts will be conducted between 23 April and 30 June 2014. These dividend payout announcements are expected to have a positive impact on the performance of Indonesia's benchmark stock index (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG). However, the payout is usually followed by a short period of profit taking as investors sell certain stocks.

Read more ›

Indonesia's benchmark stock index (known as the IHSG or Jakarta Composite Index) posted another small gain on Wednesday (16/04), thus extending its winning streak to four days. The index gained 0.06 percent to 4,873.01 points. Despite slowing GDP growth in China, a depreciating rupiah exchange rate (responding to slightly higher US chain store sales and expected higher US building permits as well as US manufacturing production) and foreign investors recording a net sell, the index stayed in the green zone.

Read more ›

After several days of strong performance, Indonesia's benchmark stock index (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) felt the impact of profit taking on Tuesday (16/04). As a consquence, the IHSG's upward movement was limited and unable to completely close the gap at 4,829-4,906. At the start of the trading day, the index opened positively, but during the day - when a number of Asian indices were down - the IHSG's performance was curbed. Indonesia's benchmark index gained 0.11 percent to 4,870.21 points.

Read more ›

Investors’ appetite for Indonesian stocks, particularly the big cap stocks, made Indonesia’s benchmark stock index (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) rise further on Monday (14/04). Most of the sectoral indices were up, led by the property sector and followed by basic industries. Contrary to most Asian indices, which were mixed today (with raw materials in particular being sold by investors), the IHSG managed to climb 1.00 percent to 4,864.88 points.

Read more ›

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 March 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:

Read more ›

Despite various negative sentiments, Indonesia's benchmark stock index was able to post a 1.30 percent gain to 4,921.04 points on Monday (07/04). Due to last week's weak March US monthly jobs report, falling indices on Wall Street on Friday (04/04) impacted negatively on Asian indices today. On the domestic side, negative market sentiments were caused by the government's plan to raise royalties for coal miners working under a Mining Business License (IUP) to 10-13.5 percent as well as a luxury tax on cars and telecommunication gadgets.

Read more ›

Indonesia Investments presents a selection of corporate earnings reports (covering full-year 2013) of Indonesian companies that are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, categorized by sector: (1) agriculture & mining, (2) basic industry & chemicals, (3) miscellaneous industry, (4) consumer goods, (5) property and real estate, (6) infrastructure, utilities and transportation, (7) finance, and (8) trade, services and investment. The tables display both net profit (loss) and revenues, together with year-on-year (yoy) growth.

Read more ›

Previously we advised investors to be careful because various economic data that was to be released - both international and domestic - could reveal negative results and thus put great pressure on the benchmark stock index of Indonesia (IHSG or Jakarta Composite Index) on Tuesday (01/04). However, the data, particularly domestic data, were positive and made the IHSG jump 2.22 percent one day after the holiday on Monday (Nyepi or Hindu New Year). Investors used this context to purchase stocks, especially Indonesia's big cap stocks.

Read more ›

During most of the day, Indonesia's benchmark stock index (the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) moved in the green zone, seemingly unaffected by falling indices on Wall Street on Wednesday (26/03). However, just before the trading day closed  market participants engaged in profit taking causing the 0.11 percent decline of the IHSG to 4,723.06 points. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for this occurrence. Perhaps because Asian indices turned mixed after China's benchmark index fell as China's latest industrial profit growth data were weak.

Read more ›