FX.co ★ Indonesian Stocks Edge Lower But Set for 5th Straight Monthly Gain

Indonesia's IDX Composite index dipped by 15 points, translating to a 0.2% decline, settling at 8,532 in early trading on Friday. This downturn continues from the previous day's losses as investors exercise caution ahead of the upcoming November Manufacturing PMI and other critical official data releases, including inflation figures for November and trade statistics for October. Market sentiment remained muted due to the absence of new catalysts, exacerbated by Wall Street's closure on Thursday and an anticipated shortened trading session today. Leading the decline were sectors such as commercial services, non-energy minerals, and retail trade, with significant decreases observed in companies like Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa (-3.0%), Bank Panin (-2.0%), Aneka Tambang (-1.7%), and Vale Indonesia (-1.3%). Despite these setbacks, the index is poised for its second consecutive weekly rise and a fifth monthly improvement, bolstered by ongoing foreign investment inflows following the central bank's decision to maintain interest rates unchanged for the second consecutive month. In terms of sector-specific developments, the government has introduced a series of transportation fare discounts for the Christmas and New Year period, aimed at enhancing mobility and reducing household travel expenses.