Thursday, 4 July 2013

LOWERED RATING BROUGHT NEGATIVE IMPACT ON RUPIAH AND IHSG



Introduction
In the quiet of night, all of sudden Standard and Poor’s rating agency revised Indonesia’s prospect into stable against the previous positive. They rated that the recovery momentum was too long, while the potential for rating promotion had lessened.

S&P last Thursday [2/5] confirmed BB + for long term sovereign credit and B rating and B rating for short term sovereign credit. Besides also ASEAN axBBB + regional scale + /Axa-2 for Indonesia.

It was also mentioned that alteration and appraisal of risk convertibility remain unchanged at BBB- besides BB+ rating on Senior Unsecured Notes Indonesia. According to S&P the revised outlook to stable reflected their evaluation that the momentum of recovery was too long and external profile was weak which reduced the potential of rating increase for the next 12 months.

For sure the lowered rating resulted in negative sentiment for Rupiah and IHSG at the Security Exchange moreover negative sentiment from Europe was still prevalent in Indonesia’s moneymarket.

The Moneymarket

Rupiah value against USD at the inter-bank spot market Jakarta last Friday [3/5] was seen to weaken. One of the causes was negative data released in Europe. The cause of Rupiah weakening last week end was among others released Producer Price Index data from Europe [PPI].

The figure was predicted to slump to -0.2% [monthly] of the previously published 0.2%. Meanwhile annual PPT was predicted to drop to 0.6% against the previous 1.3%. The sentiment worsened the effect of ECB which previously axed benchmark rate by 25 basic points to 0.5% which weakened Euro and automatically strengthened USD but was negative pressure on Rupiah.

Therefore, gradually Rupiah was seen to weaken last weekend in the range of Rp9.715 to Rp9, 755 per USD. Besides, Rupiah weakening was also triggered by the market which was still waiting for data of non-farm payrolls USA. The figure was predicted to increase to USD 150,000 against the previously published 88 thousand. Moreover, unemployment level in the USA was predicted to settle at 7.6%. The condition served as positive sentiment to USD but on the contrary posed as negative pressure on Rupiah.

Rupiah weakening was still triggered by lowered future projection of Indonesia’s economy by S&P. The condition had not made foreign investors need Rupiah. Previously during transaction last Thursday [2/5] Rupiah value against USD was closed to weaken by 5 points [0.05%] to the position of Rp9, 735/Rp9, 740.

The market was influenced by negative sentiment of Standard & Poor’s Rating Services who revised outlook of Indonesia’s debt rating. According to S&P the Government of RI had been wasting time and missed the momentum of economic reformation. Consequently, the chances of Indonesia to get better rating were lost.

Somehow S&P maintained short term credit level from ‘BBB +’ and long term at ‘B’ level. Therefore through the sessions Rupiah continued to slump. It was noteworthy that the Philippines was promoted to investment grade level by S&P which means that the Philippines had outclassed Indonesia whose rating was lowered from positive to stable.

The Philippines rating in terms of long term debt in foreign currency was promoted to BBB- in terms of the previous BB with stable outlook. It was mentioned that the Philippines’ rating promotion reflected stronger external profile, moderate inflation, and less dependency on foreign currency debt.

The Philippines President Benigno Aquino’s action to change the nation into a fastest growing economic zone had been empowered as the Government projected investment record this year including expansion of companies like Murata manufacturing Co. All in all, Peso strengthened to higher level in the past 3 weeks to 41.055 peso per USD to reserve previous downturn.

This Philippines Peso booked highest increase in the past 12 months after Thailand’s Bath of 11 Asian currencies tracked by Bloomberg. Index the Philippines stock market [PcomP] strengthened by 0.3% before announcement after jumping up to the record last April. This higher rating could increase capital flow to the Philippines. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas [BSP] the Philippines Central Bank had to take special measures to restrict the risk of asset bubble.

Last month BSP axed fixed deposit account interest for the third time this year, but maintained bank interest for overnight deposit at the lowest record of 3.5%. Meanwhile BSP would remain to be cautious about the risk of bigger capital inflow. The Philippines economy which was twice as big as Malaysia and 10 times as big as Singapore in 1960 grew at 6.8 in quarter four of 2012.

Meanwhile in Greece, the Parliament managed to pass a Bill which prepared dismissal in the public sector. The Bill which was passed last week ratified changes agreed upon with the creditors. The Bill package was precondition for two-phase bail-out for Greece which totaled Euro 8.8 billion or around Rp111 trillion.

This new policy was additional conditions to the various pre-conditions to cash their bail out. This also indicated an economic recovery process which was far from normal. Struggling Greece and Cyprus confirmed that Europe’s economy was still a far cry from recovery. This was a negative sentiment for Asian currencies which were rated as risky including Rupiah.

Consequently even good news at home was ignored by the market. As known, the Central Statistics Board noted that in April 2013 there was deficit of 0.1% due to downturn of food price. Based on expenditure category, food contributed deflation of 0.8%, followed by clothing 1.13%. The clothing segment was having deflation because of downturn in gold price.

Meanwhile the category of ready food, cigarettes and tobacco contributed 0.3% to inflation, followed by the category of Housing, gas and fuel which posted inflation of 0.41%. the health category contributed 0.22% to inflation; education, recreation and sports contributed 0.15% to inflation while transportation, communication and financial services posted deflation of 0.1%.

BPS also posted inflation rate of January-April 2013 at 2.32% and y.o.y 5.57%. Meanwhile inflation of the core component in April 0.14% and by y.o.y was 4.12%. The adverse condition in Europe, in additional to lowered Indonesia’s rating brought pressures on Rupiah over the week which was predicted to move in the range of Rp 9, 725 – Rp 9,775 per USD.

The Capital Market

Meanwhile index of IHGS in the early session last week [3/5] was opened to weaken by 0.02% to the level of 4,992.97. IHSG slumped, followed by LQ 45 which weakened by 0.22% to the level of 485. 37, index of JII shares weakened by 0.01% to the level of 674.83. The weakened sectors were among others the sectors of mixed industry, finance and agro business.

IHSG’s resistance level was projected at 5, 040 and support level was 4, 980 during closing session of last week. Previously IHSG broke through the level of 5, 000. Unfortunately the long awaited psychological level did not last long. IHSG resistance was still being tested by some negative sentiment which recently influenced share transactions at BEI.

However there was still optimism that index would again improve its position and bounch back to above 5, 000 and higher. In Thursday session [2/5] IHSG was closed to weaken due to act of profit taking following the trend in Asia. IHSG BEI was closed to go down to 66.87 point or 1.32%to the position of 4, 994.05 while index of LQ45 weakened by 12.47 points [1.48%] to 847.29.

Although index of BEI was stormed by profit taking due to weakening Asian stockmarkets, index was still above psychological level. Hence predictably after the downturn index still had strengthening potential, to break through 5, 100 points once more.

Only trouble was the target was hard to meet because this week negative sentiment broke in as S&P revised Indonesia’s outlook from positive to stable. Somehow S&P still maintained Indonesia’s rating at BB+. This new rating would have its short-term effect on the stockmarket. Analysts believe that Indonesia’s lowered rating would have impact on the stockmarket.

Some fund managers who were following S&P recommendation would reduce their portfolio in Indonesia, because investment risk was feared to increase. However fund managers who referred to Moody’s & Fitch recommendation would rather wait and see until the two rating agencies come up with their latest recommendation.

Furthermore the possible effect of fund managers reducing their portfolio was bursting acts of selling. However the impact of Indonesia’s lowered debt rating was only for the short term. As soon as portfolio was adjusted index would turn back to normal.

S&P’s recommendation was warning sign for the Government to make a policy which supported economic growth. The Government needed to act fast to normalize investment climate for example to spur on building of the Foxconn factory which so far did not indicate Government’s commitment to enhance investment climate.

Other opinions had it that Indonesia’s lowered rating was partly already predicted by the market. This was related to the continual postponement of oil price increasing by the Government, which was the main reason for S&P to stipulate Indonesia’s rating.

At the regional stockmarket, among others index of Hang Seng weakened by 68.71 points [0.36%] to the level of 22, 668.30, index of Nikkei-225 dropped by 105.31 points [0.76%] to the level of 13, 694 and index of Straits Times strengthened by 34.21 points [3, 402.39].

What troubles stockmarket players lately was uncertain timing of oil price increase, as the Government was rated as indecisive; the market was just as confused. Previously index of BEI once broke through 5, 000 on April 18, 2013. This was IHSG’s spectacular achievement compared to last year’s level at 3, 346. There some factors that caused fluctuation of shares:

Firstly, increased price of shares was due to fundamental performance of company especially financial performance. Increased net profit would jack up earning per share to be followed by increased price of company’s share.

Secondly, corporate action with jacked up performance in the long run. For example a company which issued new share through right issue for paying company’ debt, in the long run was expected to increase company’s profit as there was no more obligation to pay debt and interest.

Other example was: company’s having long term contracts to increase company’s revenue and further drum up new investors to expand business.

Thirdly increased of price share could also be triggered by positive sentiment of the industrial sector. For example the property sector was being sought after by investors so emitent’s shares of the property sector increased accordingly. Increased per capita income of the people means increased people’s purchasing power. Under such circumstances consumer goods would get positive impact. Shares of this sector like retail, food, household goods and automotives would be increased as well.

However, not all shares would post increase. There were times when price of shares dropped as market sentiment declined. Besides, price of emitent’s share might slump if financial performance of the emitents worsened. In additional to that there were some occurrences which could lower emitence performance in the long run which would cause share price to drop.

For example, business contract being cancelled by business counterparts which affected company’s income and conflict among share holders would also lower share price; also acts of majority share holders who sell their shares to other parties.

Lowered share price also happened because the business sector was in adverse condition for example because credit interest soared high. Shares of emitents of the banking sector would get negative sentiment as increased interest caused non-performing loan. A condition as such had the potential to affect performance of emitternce of the banking sector.

Even if the market was in normal condition without negative sentiment on the macro economy or sectoral economy, the risk of falling share price was always there. Fall of share price could happen under the pressure of certain circles like speculators.

Therefore investors should be keen eyed in observing the situation which might causes share price to increase or drop. Investors were also advised to always monitor macro economic development and the business sector and company’s performance through regularly published financial journal.

The situation in Wall Street, N.Y. must also be constantly advised. Apparently data of better unemployment claim had driven US stockmarket to strengthen significantly last Friday [3/5]. Index of Dow Jones rose by 0.8% to 14, 831.58; index of S&P rose by 0.9% to 1, 579 and index of Nasdaq rose by 1.2% to 3, 340.62. Strengthening of Dow index had support from Cisco shares and American Express. Index of S&P could even touch the previous highest level of 1, 598.60.

Unemployment claim last weekend dropped to the lowest level since January 2008 from 16, 000 to 342,250. Dismissals plan moved to the lowest level since December last which dropped nearly by 23% in March. The market was still waiting for monthly unemployment claim. Early estimate came to 140,000 in April, an increase of 88,000 in March.

Data of deficit in US Trade Balance turned out to be more than expected in March. The cause was notable drop of import since 2009. Strengthening of index was also jacked up by ECB’s policy who lowered interest level from 0.75% to 0.5%.

So far there was 75% or more companies of S&P index who had submitted their quarterly income; 69% exceeded income expectation and 4.8% of the same period last year.

Combination of the three external factors would lead IHSG all through the week in the range of 4,980 – 5,010 with tendency of being stable. If the Government dared to increase price of subsidized oil this week, it would bring short term negative effect at the stockmarket but stockmarket index would bounch back again to 5,100 and further as oil price was increased. (SS)
               
               
                 
Business News - May 8, 2013                            

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