Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Indonesian stocks suffered a dramatic selloff on Thursday, putting the market on course for its largest two-day decline on record as fears of a potential downgrade to frontier market status rattled investors. The benchmark Jakarta Composite Index plunged 8% in early trading, triggering an automatic trading halt, after already tumbling 7.4% a day earlier. The sharp decline followed warnings from global index provider MSCI and a downgrade in outlook from U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs.
MSCI raised concerns about market transparency in Indonesia, citing issues around stock ownership, trading mechanisms, and price formation. The index provider warned that if these “investability risks” are not resolved, Indonesia could be downgraded from emerging market to frontier market status. Such a move would have major consequences, as MSCI indexes are tracked by billions of dollars in passive and active investment funds, many of which would be forced to sell Indonesian equities.
Goldman Sachs responded by cutting its recommendation on Indonesian stocks to “underweight,” estimating that an MSCI downgrade could trigger capital outflows ranging from $2.2 billion to $7.8 billion, even though its strategists said such a downgrade remains unlikely. Still, the bank warned that the market is likely to stay under pressure and does not currently represent an attractive entry point.
Investor sentiment has also been undermined by growing concerns over Indonesia’s economic and fiscal direction under President Prabowo Subianto. Foreign investors have been pulling money out amid worries about a widening fiscal deficit, increased state intervention in financial markets, and weakening confidence in policy credibility. The recent appointment of the president’s nephew, Thomas Djiwandono, to the central bank, following the earlier dismissal of former finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, has further shaken market confidence and pushed the rupiah to record lows.
According to LSEG data, overseas investors sold nearly 14 trillion rupiah worth of Indonesian shares in 2025, marking the worst year for equity outflows since 2020, with selling pressure continuing into January. Regulators and the stock exchange are expected to address the market turmoil in a media briefing later on Thursday.
