In line with expectations, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis-points to the range of 0.75 - 1.00 percent on Wednesday (15/03). It was the Fed's third rate hike in the past 15 months. As this hike had already been expected by basically all market participants it was more important to learn the Fed's stance on the pace and number of further rate hikes in 2017. On this matter Fed Chief Janet Yellen remained rather dovish, saying any further hikes in 2017 would be gradual. Wall Street now expects to see two more hikes in 2017.

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Ahead of looming higher interest rates in the USA, Indonesia's financial authorities seem confident that the impact of tightening US monetary policy on Indonesia's capital markets will be controlled as Indonesia's economic fundamentals are solid, while the nation's central bank (Bank Indonesia) and government are ready to step in to stabilize the rupiah exchange rate or the pace of capital flows, if needed.

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After Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's speech late last week, markets are increasingly expecting to see a US interest rate hike this month. In her speech in Chicago on Friday (03/03), Yellen said the Fed will adjust its monetary policy (specifically the fed funds rate) in case US employment and inflation continue to evolve in line with the Fed's expectations. The next Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting is scheduled for 14-15 March 2017 and therefore it is believed only disastrous US labor market data can block an interest rate hike this month.

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The Federal Reserve decided - in line with expectations - to raise its benchmark Fed Funds Rate by 0.25 percent to the range of 0.50 - 0.75 percent, exactly one year after its first rate hike (in a decade). Furthermore, the Fed Chair Janet Yellen also indicated it sees three more interest rate hikes in 2017. This is a bit more hawkish than markets expected. Tighter monetary policy in the USA is required as the US labor market and growth in household spending improves. Inflation has also improved but remains below the Fed's 2 percent (y/y) target. Business investment, however, remains soft.

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After the speech of Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen at an annual meeting of central bankers in Jackson Hole (Wyoming) on Friday (26/08), speculation about a looming Fed Funds Rate hike has risen. In her speech Yellen said the case for higher US interest rates has strengthened in recent months due to the nation's economic growth and stronger jobs market. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer said a US interest rate hike could come as early as September 2016.

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In line with other markets in Asia, Indonesian stocks and the rupiah continued to rally on Tuesday (07/06) supported by the cautious words of Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen in a speech on Monday. Meanwhile, higher commodity prices boost the outlook for those commodity-exporting economies (including Indonesia). Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index rose 0.78 percent to 4,933.99 points, while the Indonesian rupiah appreciated 0.80 percent to IDR 13,263 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index).

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Changing perceptions about US monetary policy have a big impact on Indonesian stocks and - especially - the rupiah, today. According to the Bloomberg Dollar Index, the Indonesian rupiah had appreciated 1.30 percent to IDR 13,418 per US dollar by 12:55 pm local Jakarta time. Meanwhile, the Jakarta Composite index rose 0.52 percent to 4,879.06 after the first trading session on Monday (06/06). What caused this performance? Well, the release of the weakest US jobs data since 2010.

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The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) sees easing pressures in the global economy in May 2016, reflected by the rising crude oil price. On Thursday (26/05), crude futures exceeded the USD $50 per barrel level for the first time since November 2015 (supported by production disruptions in Canada). Although oil futures declined again the following day on profit taking, the rising trend has persisted. In early 2016 crude oil traded below USD $30 a barrel, plunging some 21 months due to the global supply glut and weak global economic growth.

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The Indonesian rupiah was under pressure on Tuesday (24/05). Based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, the rupiah depreciated 0.47 percent to IDR 13,638 per US dollar, the weakest level since early February 2016. However, the Indonesian rupiah is not the only emerging market currency in Asia that was under pressure today. Meanwhile, Asia's emerging market stocks also declined. Negative market sentiments are caused by growing speculation about a sooner-than-expected interest rate hike in the USA as well as sliding oil prices.

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Most emerging market stocks and currencies strengthened today as markets responded positively to Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen's dovish statements overnight. Based on her words, the Federal Reserve is not expected to undertake another US interest rate hike soon as the US economy remains fragile amid sluggish global economic growth. As a result Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index climbed 0.74 percent, while the Indonesian rupiah appreciated 1.04 percent to IDR 13,256 per US dollar (Bloomberg Dollar Index).

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After the release of US non-farm payrolls on Friday (02/10) markets are starting to doubt whether the Federal Reserve has room to raise its key Fed Fund Rate at all in 2015. In September a total of 142,000 jobs were added to the US economy, well below the market consensus of 201,000. Moreover, August non-farm payrolls were revised down to 136,000 (from 173,000 initially). It was the first time since mid-2013 that US jobs grew at such a slow pace in two consecutive months. So far in 2015 US non-farm payrolls grew at an average of 198,000 per month, significantly down from the average growth pace of 260,000 per month last year.

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US Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen reminded global investors to prepare for a sooner-than-expected US interest rate hike (Fed Funds Rate, FFR) provided that the economy of the USA - the world’s largest economy - continues its improving trend. In fact, speculation has emerged that the FFR will be raised before the end of 2014 although Yellen stated more than once that the ‘close-to-zero’ interest rate environment would be maintained for a considerable period after the US bond-buying program (quantitative easing) has ended.

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The Indonesian rupiah exchange rate depreciated 0.35 percent to IDR 11,714 per US dollar according to the Bloomberg Dollar Index on Monday (25/08) as the positive market sentiments that were caused by Indonesia’s Constitutional Court that rejected Prabowo Subianto’s claim that the 2014 presidential election was invalid due to massive fraud, eased. Market participants were again looking at the domestic economic condition as well as international developments that are considered to impact on the performance of Indonesia’s currency.

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The Indonesian rupiah exchange rate appreciated 0.33 percent to IDR 11,698 per US dollar on Wednesday (16/07) according to the Bloomberg Dollar Index. Although at the start of the trading day the rupiah weakened due to commentary of Federal Reserve Head Janet Yellen who said that US interest rates may increase sooner than expected provided that the US job market improves faster than anticipated, at the end of the trading day Indonesia's currency strengthened on improved economic growth in China, the world’s second-largest economy.

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Most emerging market currencies, including the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate, appreciated against the US dollar on Tuesday (08/04) due to carry trade (meaning the selling of low-yield currencies for higher-yielding assets) and expected stimulus from China's government to boost its economy (Chinese shares in fact gained 2.2 percent on this stimulus speculation). The rupiah appreciated 0.14 percent to IDR 11,289 per US dollar based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, partly due to variety of domestic factors.

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At 15:00 local Jakarta time on Tuesday (01/04), the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate as well as the country's benchmark stock index (known as the IHSG or Jakarta Composite Index) have shown a positive performance so far. Based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, the rupiah appreciated 0.64 percent to IDR 11,288 per US dollar, while the IHSG climbed 2.15 percent to 4,871.38. A number of internal and external factors contributed to this remarkable performance today.

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Positive market sentiments stemming from Wall Street pushed Indonesia's benchmark stock index (known as the Jakarta Composite Index or IHSG) further up on Wednesday (12/02). Even though technical indicators (such as the bollinger band) suggest that the majority of Indonesian stocks are close to the overbought area, it did not prevent investors from stock trading. The appreciating rupiah exchange rate, rising Asian indices and positive openings in Europe all contributed to the IHSG's 0.58 percent gain to 4,496.29 points.

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From the start of today's trading day (06/01), the Indonesian rupiah exchange rate depreciated against the US dollar. Based on the Bloomberg Dollar Index, Indonesia's currency fell 0.48 percent to IDR 12,238 per US dollar at 13:00 local Jakarta time. This declining trend is in line with the majority of other Asian Pacific currencies. With the exception of the Australian dollar and the Japanese yen, the US dollar appreciated against all Asia Pacific currencies in the morning of Monday (06/01).

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Ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on 17-18 December 2013, the Indonesia rupiah exchange rate is continuing its depreciating trend as the economies of the USA and Japan, particularly the capital markets, are improving and causes the US dollar and Yen to appreciate against other currencies. Both currencies are considered safe havens amid the current volatile world economy. One of the victims is the rupiah, which fell to IDR 12,126 per US dollar at 12.30 local Jakarta time (Bloomberg Dollar Index).

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Various factors contributed to the 1.34 percent rise of Indonesia's benchmark stock index (also known as the Jakarta Composite Index or the IHSG) on Monday (18/11) to 4,393.59 points. Firstly, the index was supported by other major Asian stock indices which all benefited from rising indices on Wall Street and in Europe at the end of last week. Secondly, the IHSG felt the positive impact from speculation that the government of China will reform its economy in order to spur economic growth.

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