Monday Afternoon Rupiah Is Monitored To Increase Thinly To IDR13,643 Per US Dollar

JAKARTA - The rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar this afternoon, January 20, was observed to have slightly strengthened by 2 points or 0.01 percent to a level of Rp. 13,643 per US dollar compared to the close on Friday, January 17, which was recorded at Rp. 13,645 per US dollar.

"The positive sentiment on the improvement in US China trade relations after the signing of the agreement will still be a market mover to strengthen the rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar this week," Monex Investindo Futures Research Head Ariston Tjendra told VOI Monday, January 20.

He added that regarding the talks for the second phase between the two countries it was still unclear when it would start. According to Ariston, the two countries are still making an inventory of the problems or want to start implementing the phase one agreement first.

"Therefore, there may not be any new friction in the US-China trade relationship," he said.

Internally, Ariston continued, no important economic data will be released yet. The market is waiting for the new policy and BI statement after the board of governor (RDG) meeting on 23 January.

"There is a chance that BI will maintain its benchmark interest rate at 5 percent given Indonesia's relatively stable inflation rate and improved relations between the US and China," he explained.

Ariston estimates that today's rupiah movement will be in the range of IDR 13,600-13,700 per US dollar.