Indonesia's Composite Index Opens Higher at 7,398 as Asian Exchanges Decline
Jakarta – Indonesia’s Composite Index (IHSG) gained 0.13%, or 9.45 points, to 7,398.85 during pre-opening trading on Thursday, 12 March 2026. A total of 186 stocks advanced, 112 declined, and 281 remained unchanged. Transaction value reached Rp 133.37 billion involving 199.38 million shares across 25,659 transactions. Market capitalisation increased to Rp 13.388 trillion.
Two minutes after market opening, the IHSG remained in positive territory, advancing 0.44% to 7,421.
Market participants today faced several crucial macroeconomic indicators and fundamental sentiments, both domestic and international. Market movement focus is expected to centre on the stability of US inflation data, the resilience of Indonesia’s state budget against geopolitical escalation, and strategic transitions in the leadership of the Financial Services Authority (OJK).
Yesterday, Commission XI of the House of Representatives approved five candidates for the OJK Board of Commissioners. The decision followed a fit and proper test conducted on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
The approved names include Friderica Widyasari Dewi as Chairman, Hernawan Bekti Sasongko as Vice Chairman, Hasan Fawzi as Executive Head of Capital Market Supervision, Adi Budiarso as Executive Head of Innovation, Technology and Crypto, and Dicky Kartikoyono as Executive Head of Education and Consumer Protection.
These multidimensional factors will serve as key catalysts driving the capital market, debt market, currency valuations, and strategic portfolio decisions today.
The escalation of conflict between Iran and proxies of the US-Israeli coalition in the Middle East is pushing Gulf nations to adopt defensive positions. Regional capitals have stated they will not facilitate military operations targeting Iran and are attempting to prevent their territories from being drawn into open warfare.
Security analysts assess that these nations are highly cautious as direct conflict escalation threatens vital infrastructure, economies, and social order.
Iran stated the world should prepare for oil prices of US$200 per barrel after its forces attacked merchant vessels on Wednesday. Simultaneously, the International Energy Agency (IEA) recommended large-scale releases from strategic oil reserves to mitigate one of the worst oil price shocks since the 1970s.
Meanwhile, from the Asia-Pacific region, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 1.56%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index dropped 1.6%, whilst the Topix lost 1.34%. South Korea’s Kospi Index declined 0.75%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index futures stood at 25,756, compared with the index’s last close of 25,898.76.
Overnight in the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell as investors continued monitoring US-Iran conflict developments and oil prices.
The 30-stock index lost 289.24 points, or 0.61%, closing at 47,417.27. The S&P 500 fell slightly by 0.08% to 6,775.80, whilst the Nasdaq Composite rose marginally by 0.08% to 22,716.13.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices rose more than 7% to US$93.80 per barrel on Wednesday. Brent crude oil rose nearly 8% to US$99.10 per barrel.