15.12.202503:49:17UTC+00Indonesia Stocks Inch Higher to Begin the Week

In early trading on Monday, Indonesia's IDX Composite experienced a modest increase of 17 points, or 0.2%, reaching 8,680. This rise follows a previous session’s decline, driven by gains in sectors such as consumer durables, healthcare, and commercial services. Investor sentiment was buoyed by a significant uptick in U.S. futures, which positively influenced the market after Wall Street's uninspired close on Friday. This comes as investors prepare for the release of postponed U.S. economic data later this week. Domestically, retail indicators pointed towards stronger spending momentum as the year-end holiday season approaches. However, market advances were tempered by a cautious approach ahead of Bank Indonesia's upcoming policy meeting, where it is largely anticipated that interest rates will remain unchanged for the third consecutive time. Meanwhile, China, a key trading partner, reported that its industrial output in November grew at its slowest rate in 15 months, and retail sales experienced their lowest gain in nearly three years, due to various external and domestic challenges. Notable early performers in the market included Merdeka Gold Resources with an increase of 11.0%, Kalbe Farma up by 3.9%, Bumi Resources rising by 2.7%, and Indosat climbing by 2.5%.