Rupiah weakens as trade balance data fails to meet market expectations
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The rupiah exchange rate moved weaker on Friday morning, dropping 17 points or 0.09 per cent to Rp18,066 per US dollar compared to the previous close of Rp18,049 per US dollar.
Muhammad Amru Syifa from the Research and Development department of the Indonesia Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (ICDX) stated that the rupiah’s depreciation was triggered by Indonesia’s trade balance data failing to meet market expectations.
“Domestic sentiment influencing the rupiah’s movement stems primarily from the Indonesian trade balance data released on 2 June 2026, which showed that April 2026 trade reached only 0.09 billion US dollars, significantly lower than the previous month’s 3.32 billion US dollars and below market expectations,” he told ANTARA in Jakarta on Friday.
This condition is seen as reflecting a reduction in foreign exchange supply from overseas trade activities, thereby exerting pressure on the rupiah. Looking at external factors, he continued, the rupiah’s movement remains influenced by the strength of the US dollar amidst high global uncertainty and the continued attractiveness of dollar-based assets.
Furthermore, investor concerns regarding the independence of Bank Indonesia following the ratification of regulations that expand the central bank’s role are considered to be increasing market participants’ caution towards Indonesian assets.
To maintain exchange rate stability, it is noted that Bank Indonesia needs to continue stabilisation measures through measured interventions in the foreign exchange market, the Domestic Non-Deliverable Forward (DNDF) market, and the bond market, while ensuring adequate foreign exchange liquidity.
“Meanwhile, the government needs to strengthen investor confidence through consistent economic policies, maintaining fiscal credibility, and encouraging the optimisation of export proceeds to ensure the domestic supply of foreign exchange remains stable,” said Amru.
Based on these factors, the rupiah exchange rate is expected to trade with fluctuations and a tendency to remain under pressure within the range of Rp18,000 - Rp18,110 per US dollar during today’s trading.