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Today's Headlines China

  • Indonesian Stocks & Rupiah Update: Ending a Weak Quarter on a High Note

    Most Asian stock markets were stronger on Wednesday, led by Japan's Nikkei 225 Index which rose 2.70 percent on expectation of further government stimulus measures. Meanwhile, Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index rose 1.09 percent to 4,223.91 points supported by the region's rising stock indices as well as on the back of the second installment of Indonesia's economic policy package. Meanwhile, the rupiah appreciated 0.26 percent to IDR 14,653 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index).

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  • Roller Coaster Ride Indonesian Stocks and Rupiah. What Happened Today?

    Indonesian stocks experienced a remarkable roller coaster ride on Tuesday (29/09). After opening the benchmark Jakarta Composite Index fell more than two percent to a near three-year low. However, the index managed to finish the trading day at 4,178.41 points, a 1.41 percent rise. Meanwhile, Indonesia's rupiah managed to curb losses. Based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, the rupiah passed beyond the IDR 14,800 per US dollar level several times but at the end of the day it had only weakened 0.11 percent to IDR 14,691 per US dollar.

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  • Market Update Indonesia: Jakarta Composite Index Falls, Rupiah Appreciates

    Stock indices in Asia were mixed on the first trading day of the week. Indonesia’s benchmark Jakarta Composite Index plunged 2.11 percent to 4,120.50 points (a two-year low), while the rupiah (remarkably) appreciated 0.13 percent to IDR 14,674 per US dollar according to the Bloomberg Dollar Index. Meanwhile, European markets were down after opening on Monday (28/09). What influenced these markets today?

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  • Indonesian Stocks & Rupiah Weakening on China & US Data

    After opening on Monday (28/09) Indonesian stocks rapidly fell amid mixed Asian markets. The main factor that causes several Asian markets to fall is declining Chinese industrial profits (triggering concern about a deepening slowdown of the world’s second-largest economy). China’s industrial profits fell 8.8 percent in August, down from July’s 2.9 percent drop. By 09:50 am local Jakarta time, the benchmark Jakarta Composite Index was down 1.41 percent to 4,150.27 points.

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  • Indonesia Stock Market & Rupiah News Update: What is Going on Today?

    In line with other Asian markets, Indonesian stocks and the rupiah are weakening heavily on Wednesday (23/09). Based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, Indonesia’s rupiah had depreciated 0.71 percent to IDR 14,655 per US dollar by 11:08 am local Jakarta time, while the benchmark Jakarta Composite Index had fallen 1.56 percent to 4,276.43 points by the same time, with the financial sector in particular taking a hit. There are several causes that explain this weak performance today.

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  • Latest News Rupiah Indonesia: Why is It Weakening against the US Dollar Today?

    Today (22/09), the Indonesian rupiah extended its weak performance and has passed beyond the level of IDR 14,500 per US dollar. Most Asian currencies continue to fall against the greenback as uncertainty about the timing of higher US interest rates persists. Although the Federal Reserve decided to postpone a Fed Fund Rate hike at its September policy meeting, markets are still preparing for a hike before the year-end as many Federal Reserve objectives had been met.

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  • Indonesia Stock & Rupiah Update: Will the Federal Reserve Raise Interest Rates?

    While most Asian stock indices were mixed, Indonesia’s benchmark Jakarta Composite Index rose 0.69 percent to 4,390.37 points on Monday (14/09) with foreign investors recording a net buy of IDR 91.2 billion (approx. USD $6.5 million). Meanwhile, ahead of a crucial Federal Reserve meeting, the Indonesian rupiah depreciated 0.08 percent to IDR 14,333 per US dollar according to the Bloomberg Dollar Index.

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  • Stocks & Rupiah Update Indonesia: Asian Markets Down, No Impact Policy Package

    Indonesian stocks and the rupiah started weak on Thursday morning (10/09), the day after the Indonesian government unveiled its first economic policy package. In line with the trend in the whole region this morning, most (emerging market) assets in Asia are declining on weak Chinese and Japanese economic data. These weak data cause heightened concern about sluggish global economic growth.

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  • Indonesian Stocks & Rupiah Update: Asian Markets Start Strong on Wednesday

    Indonesian stocks and the rupiah started strong on Wednesday (09/09). Immediately after opening the benchmark Jakarta Composite Index rose over one percent to 4,366 points, while the rupiah appreciated 0.25 percent to IDR 14,244 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index) as these assets were supported by positive global sentiments after there had occurred a rally in most global equity markets on Tuesday (08/09).

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  • Indonesia Stock Market & Rupiah Update: What Happened in Asia Today?

    Most Asian stock markets finished lower on Monday (07/09) on persistent concern about the hard landing of China’s economy and the (related) selloff on European and US markets that occurred at the end of last week. Meanwhile, most Asian currencies depreciated (against the US dollar) after a US jobs report (released last Friday) could make the Federal Reserve decide to raise short-term interest rates later this month. All in all, investor sentiment remains fragile.

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Latest Columns China

  • Benchmark Indonesia Stock Index and Rupiah Weaken on Thursday

    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.

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  • Contrary to Most Emerging Currencies, Indonesian Rupiah Depreciates

    On Wednesday (26/03), most emerging Asian currencies appreciated against the US dollar as the region's shares hit a two-week high on upbeat US economic data in combination with reduced concern over the crisis in Crimea (Ukraine). However, the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate was one of the exceptions to this trend on today's trading day. Based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, the rupiah had depreciated 0.16 percent to IDR 11,412 at 16:15 local Jakarta time. Meanwhile, the Chinese yuan recovered some of its earlier losses.

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  • Jakarta Composite Index down due to Lower US Manufacturing PMI

    Jakarta Composite Index down due to Lower US Manufacturing PMI

    Despite technical indicators suggesting further upward movement of Indonesia's benchmark stock index (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG), a positive performance of the index was blocked by external factors. Several Asian stock indices were down responding to Markit's lower US manufacturing PMI (slipping to 55.5 from 57.1 in February 2014). Similarly, China and the Eurozone's manufacturing data showed slowing growth. Continued appreciation of the rupiah exchange rate managed to limit the decline of the IHSG.

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  • New Week Starts with Strong Indonesian Rupiah and Climbing IHSG

    At the start of the new week, Indonesia's benchmark stock index (Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) was able to continue to climb, supported by positive Asian indices. Today, investors took advantage of discounted stocks in Asia as markets had fallen after the Federal Reserve's announcement last week that the quantitative easing program would be wound down further as well as a possible US interest rate hike in 2015 and 2016. However, the IHSG was also vulnerable to profit taking. Therefore, today's gain was limited.

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  • What about Indonesia's Coal Mining Sector? A Short Overview and Analysis

    Coal is one of the most important commodities for Indonesia in terms of state revenue as it accounts for about 85 percent of the country's total mining revenue. Therefore, when global coal prices fell sharply from 2011 (amid a slowing global economy), Indonesia felt the impact. In a response to lower coal prices, Indonesian miners actually increased coal output thus placing more downward pressure on coal prices and profit margins. Although the coal industry will remain frail for some time to come, long-term prospects are still strong.

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  • Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index (IHSG) Up 0.58% on Tuesday

    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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  • Indonesian Rupiah Exchange Rate's New Equilibrium at IDR 11,000?

    Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said that the rupiah exchange rate's new equilibrium is at IDR 11,000 per US dollar. As the economic fundamentals of Indonesia's economy have improved in recent months - evidenced by the easing current account deficit and inflation - the rupiah has shown a strong performance, appreciating around six percent against the US dollar in 2014 (year to date). In fact, Rajasa warned that the rupiah should not strengthen too much as this impacts negatively on Indonesia's trade balance.

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  • Most Asian Currencies Down against USD but Indonesian Rupiah Appreciates

    Although immediately plunging 0.33 percent to IDR 11,478 per US dollar after its opening on Monday (10/03), the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate had appreciated 0.57 percent to IDR 11,375 per US dollar by 14:00 local Jakarta time (Bloomberg Dollar Index). The rupiah's performance today is in sharp contrast with other Asian currencies. As US nonfarm payrolls increased more than expected and Chinese exports fell sharply (18.1 percent year-on-year) in February 2014, the US dollar appreciated against most Asian currencies.

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  • Jakarta Composite Index Climbs 1.26% on Easing Tensions on Ukraine

    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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  • Despite Mixed Asian Indices, Jakarta Composite Index Up 0.80% on Thursday

    Despite Mixed Asian Indices, Jakarta Composite Index Up 0.80% on Thursday

    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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