Wednesday, 3 July 2013

BI RATE STANDS STEADY, RUPIAH AND IHSG EVER ONWARD



The Moneymarket

Outcome of the Meeting of the Board of Governors of Bank Indonesia last week [7/3] which set BI benchmark rate at 5.75% was welcomed positively by marketplayers. The decision confirmed that the course Rupiah movement would be better while the stockmarket would be in good shape.
               
The only thing was, just as the way it had always been in week end transactions, Rupiah exchange rate at the inter-bank forex spot market  in Jakarta last Friday [8/3] was predicted to be entering consolidation stage and tend to weaken. It seemed that sentiments from Europe and Asia seemed to be advantageous to USD.
               
Rupiah predictable movement last week end with tendency to weaken was among others triggered by sentiment from the Monetary Meeting of Bak of England (BoE) who again announced the positive side of Poundsterling slump against British economy. The weakness could help England on the export side. Therefore Rupiah would tend to weaken although generally consolidated. Rupiah would move in the range of Ro9,600 – Rp9,700 per USD.
               
Besides, President of the European Central Bank [ECB] Mario Draghi stated that economy of the Euro zone would still be under pressure in Semester I-2013. So Rupiah tends to consolidate while USD tent to strengthen. Draghi also underscored that the bond buying program would only be activated if the proposing country were willing to run the Austerity Plan.
               
However data of US economy was negative enough so the sentiment to the market was neutralized. US trade balance was predicted to worsen to USD 42.8 billion USD against the previous minus USD 38.5 billion with increased unemployment level. US unemployment claim was predicted to increase from 344 thousand to become 354 thousand.
               
Last weekend the market also had to face outcome data of stress-test of the US banking sector which was predicted to be positive enough. On the other hand, released data of Japan’s GDP was still weak, i.e. recession of -0.1% for the final version; but data of Japan’s balance sheet was growing positively from USD 100 billion to become 110 USD billion. The only thing was that data of China’s trade balance which was predicted to worsen from USD 29.2 billion to USD 8.8 billion USD.
               
Meanwhile Euro and Poundsterling was way behind USA toward the monetary Policy Meeting of the ECB and BoE. The official confirmation that economy of the Eurozone shrunk by 0.6% in quarter four resulted in 0.6% contraction for the entire year 2012 became a focus of attention of the problem in the 17-nation block. Euro slipped to USD 1.2971 down against USD 1.3047.
               
USD also strengthened against Japanese Yen, traded at 94.04 Yen against the previous 93.30 Yen. Greenbuk was helped by report of the ADP payroll company who pointed out that the private sector had added 198,000 workers in February, way above expectation. Workers Recruitment Figures brought hope that report of non agro-payroll of February would at least show moderate employment growth, although unemployment level was still predicted to remain unchanged at 7.9%.
               
So broadly speaking sentiments tend to be toward strengthening of USD since Asian sentiment was negative. Moreover, data of US non-far, payrolls was positive because they were predicted to rise to 161 thousand against the previous 157 thousand. As footnote, Rupiah value against USD at the interbank spot market in Jakarta last Thursday[7/3] was closed to stagnate at Rp9,695/Rp9,705 previously Rupiah exchange rate value which was transacted in the morning session was still stationary at Rp.9,690 per USD.
               
The course of Rupiah value was less fluctuating amidst waiting by market players for outcome of internal meeting of central banks of Japan and Europe. Market players were expecting that the meeting would bring follow up policy on monetary easing. The expectation was to balance up negative sentiment as there was no meeting point in the search for solution of US fiscal problem. Now appreciation for Rupiah was slightly held back with data showing downturn in quarterly Australian GDP and prediction of unchanged quarterly GDP of Euro states.
               
Meanwhile BI’s effort to prohibit banks to make hedging transactions using non-delivery forward [NDF] at home and abroad to bumper speculation against Rupiah was rated as satisfactorily effective. All forex transactions must be of full delivery.
               
Other point being the marketplayers’ focus of attention was result of BI RDG which again stipulated the maintain BI rate at 5.75%. Hence BI rate had been maintained at the same position since February 2012. BI rate was rated as consistently synchronous with inflation target of 2013 and 2014 at 4.5% =/ -1%. Indonesia’s economic performance was still good in spite of signs of moderation in investment through quarter IV 2012.
               
BI still had to watch on inflation course especially that triggered by volatile food. The point was that the inflation of the past two months was notably high, i.e. 1.03% in January and 0.75% in February. BI felt sure that with mix-policy of monetary and macro prudential  policy and fostering sound coordination with the government they would be able to meet inflation target and enhance external balance in promoting sustainable economic growth.
               
Noteworthy was the change in the position of forex reserves. In January 2013, Indonesia’s forex reserves dropped from USD 4 billion to USD 108.8 billion. In February Indonesia’s forex reserves still slumped by USD 3.6 billion to become USD 105.2 billion. The way BI saw it, on the external side deficit in current transaction was estimated to drop by quarter I-2013. The reduced deficit of current transaction was supported by increased export which tend to increase in line with better international commodity prices.
               
Meanwhile import on non oil-gas commodities tend to weaken amidst high import of oil-gas which needed to be watched on. On the other hand, capital inflow in the form of direct investment [FDI] of portfolio investment were still high amidst growing need of forex liquidity at home, which was among others needed for importing oil gas.
               
Under the above circumstances national forex reserves by end of February 2013 came to USD 105.1 billion or equal to 5.7 months of import and Government’s overseas debt payment and was still above international tolerable level. According to BI, in February 2013 pressures of depreciation of Rupiah eased down, putting Rupiah at the level of Rp9,680 per USD.
               
Compared to initial position in early 2013, Rupiah strengthened by 0.31%. The Rupiah stabilizing policy adopted by BI, including the forex intervention mechanism and formation of Rupiah value reference at the domestic market, was able to enhance market’s trust.
               
In addition to that, stability of Rupiah value was also supported by entry of non residential fund to Rupiah instrument which came to Rp27.6 trillion. In the future BI must continue to maintaining Rupiah stability in accordance with national fundamental economy. The conclusion was that for this week Rupiah exchange rate value for USD would be in the range of Rp9,675 – Rp9,725 with tendency of consolidating.
The Capital Market.
               
Domestic market players rated that soaring index of IHSG in early 2013 did not represent a situation to be anxious about. Indonesia’s macro economy condition which remained relatively solid made IHSG condition reasonable with potential growth.
               
IHSG performance early this year continued to ascend, repeatedly breaking highest record in the domestic stockmarket, driven by accumulated net buy by foreign investors. In January 2013 IHSG reached its highest record of 4,465.48 points with total foreign net buy of Rp5.69 trillion.
               
 All in all IHSG had broken its highest record of all time driven by acts of net buying. Second tier shares were investors’ target. Starting the first session last weekend [8/3] IHSG was opened to inch up by 0.651 points [0.01%] to the level of 4,825.334 as they were losing steam after soaring high in the past few days. Index moved flat and fluctuative within narrow range.
               
Selective buying was happening in some tiers of shares although acts of profit taking was overshadowing IHSG movement. Index was still moving up and down between red and green zone. Until there were acts of net buy of second tier shares, index directly broke through intraday high record was of all times at the level of 4,848.549. Yet this record was only recently broken when index broke through 4,835.069 As known premium shares were the target of profit taking as they had risen high enough.
               
Premium shares were the target of profit taking, holding back IHSG which was threatened to fall into the red zone. Fortunately this process of correction could still be held back by second tier shares. Evidently to end session on Thursday [7/3], IHSG was closed to move up by 23.616 points [0.49%] to the level of 832.315.
               
IHSG position was the highest ever of all time. IHSG recordwas latest posted at 4,824.683 after jumping up by 72.982 points [1.54%]. BI’s policy who again decided to maintain benchmark rate at 5.75% was responded positively by stockholders. Some investor rated that the maintained BI rate indicated that inflation was under control and Indonesia’s economy was predictably growing, so net buying was on the go.
               
Meanwhile Asian stockmarkets closed their sessions the mixed way. Some Asian stockmarkets accumulated buying’s after Dow Jones made their highest record. Index of Composite Shanghai inched down by 22.89 points [0.98%] to the level of 2,324.29. Hang Seng inched down by 6.40 points [0.03%] to the level of 22,771.44. Index of Nikkei 225 rose by 35.51 points [0.30%] to the level of 11.968.08. Index of Straits Times strengthened by 4.20 points [0.13%] to the level of 3,296.01.
               
Previously shares of the developing countries dropped from the highest level in the past 2 weeks led by shares of emitents of the technological sector, after Europe Central Bank decided not to change their interest level as they felt that Italy’s economy was under threat. Meanwhile shares of Brazilian emitents were closed to strengthen. The shares which contributed to downturning index of MSCI Emerging Markets were Ayala Land Inc and Samsung Electronics co.
               
On the other hand shares of OGX Petroleo & Gas Participacoes strengthened in index Bovespa Brazil. MSCI Emerging Markets inched down by 0.2% to the level of 1,057.92 in New York to end increase for 2 days. As known, ECB decided to maintain benchmark rate at 0.75%. Some parties were expecting “extra aid” from ECB.
               
However, most of Asian stockmarkets being in positive area could trigger IHSG to regain strength. The condition was driven by data of US economy which was above expectation and the Fed’s statement that US economy was showing signs of growth.
               
The Wall Street stickmarket inched up during sessions on Thursday [7/3] to drive index of Dow Jones to once again hit the highest record of all time. Market players were waiting for US employment data. This was for the third time that Dow Jones ever broke a record. Together with S&P 500 both had strengthened for 2 consecutive days. Index of S&P was only 1% away from the all time top position.
               
During closing session, index of Dow Jones inched up by 33.25 points [0.23%] to the level of 14,329.49 as latest record. Index of Standard & Poor 500 increased by 2.80 points to the level of 1,544.26. Index of Composite Nasdaq inched up by 9.72 points [0.30%] to the level of 3,232.09.
               
Positive sentiment of the USA nad Asia stockmarkets had the potential to inject sweet surprise to IHSG during closing session last week predicted to be stable in the range of 4,850-4,880. If target were met, IHSG would move up this week in the range of 4,875-4,900. Technically the market was embarking on an area of new high, with expectation of new resistance ar 5,250.
               
However, investors were advised to keep watch on emitents’ performance especially those who were export oriented. As known, economic betterment in some export destination countries was not good enough to enhance Govenrment’s optimist of export performance.
               
Export performance of 2013 would predictably be the same as 2012 amidst global economic condition which was not fully recovered. Export performance this year would be affected if global economy changed for the better.
               
Other points to be observed was economy of the Euro zone which in quarter IV last year contracted by 0.9% y o y or deeper than the previous quarter which posted contraction of 0.6% y o y. Hence the Euro Zone had posted contractions for 4 censecutive quarters and technically would be entering recession times. So exporters should be extra cautious of emitents whose export market was Europe-oriented.(SS)



Business News - March 13,2013

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