JCI Rises as Asian Markets Rally on U.S. Economic Data, China Signals

JAKARTA, 25 AUGUST 2026 —

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s benchmark stock index closed higher on Friday, tracking gains across Asian markets as investors responded to fresh economic data from the United States and policy signals from China.The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI), the main gauge of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), rose 49.77 points or 0.80 percent to 6,236.13 at the close of trading.

Meanwhile, the blue-chip LQ45 index gained 2.38 points or 0.38 percent to 621.24.US Economic Data Boosts Market Expectations"Heading into the weekend, most Asian regional markets moved higher.

Investors appear to be responding to the release of US economic data and the outcome of China's Politburo meeting," Pilarmas Investindo Sekuritas Associate Director of Research and Investment Maximilianus Nico Demus said in a research note on Friday.US economic data showed that Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation eased to 3.7 percent year-on-year in June 2026, while economic growth in the second quarter of 2026 slowed to 1.5 percent year-on-year.The softer inflation and slower economic growth fueled speculation that the US Federal Reserve could shift its focus from inflation control toward addressing economic weakness."These conditions have led investors to expect the Fed will maintain its policy rate at the September 2026 meeting," Nico said.China Policy Signals Support Regional SentimentInvestor sentiment was also supported by the outcome of China’s Politburo meeting, which reaffirmed efforts to support economic growth while avoiding large-scale stimulus measures.Chinese policymakers said they would continue using existing policy tools rather than introducing broad stimulus.

They also reiterated commitments to stabilize the property sector, protect employment, address local government debt risks, reform smaller banks, and strengthen capital market reforms.The limited but continued policy support helped ease concerns over China’s economic outlook and contributed to broader gains across Asian markets.Domestic Factors Lift Investor ConfidenceIn Indonesia, market sentiment was supported by the Constitutional Court’s ruling that funding for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program should be separated from the education budget.The decision was viewed by some market participants as a move toward strengthening governance reforms related to President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship program.Investor confidence was also lifted by reports that acting Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Destry Damayanti could be nominated as the central bank’s permanent governor.With her background as BI’s senior deputy governor, Destry is considered to have strong experience in monetary policy and financial system stability.

The leadership transition is expected to proceed smoothly without major changes to BI’s policy direction.Technology Sector Leads IDX GainsThe JCI opened higher and remained in positive territory throughout both trading sessions.Based on the IDX Industrial Classification (IDX-IC), 10 sectors recorded gains, led by the technology sector, which climbed 2.42 percent.

The basic materials and healthcare sectors followed, each gaining 2.30 percent.The top-performing stocks included IATA, SGRO, TALF, FPNI, and OPMS, while the biggest decliners were HATM, ESTI, JSPT, GULA, and STRK.Trading activity reached 1.938 million transactions, involving 31.52 billion shares worth Rp18.24 trillion.

A total of 455 stocks advanced, 205 declined, and 303 remained unchanged.Regional Asian markets also ended the session mostly higher.Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 3.86 percent to 64,354.00, China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.72 percent to 3,832.26, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.10 percent to 25,884.43, and South Korea’s Kospi increased 17.91 percent to 6,595.453.Singapore’s Straits Times Index was the only major regional benchmark to decline, falling 0.79 percent to 5,628.50.Read: What Purbaya Says About Separating MBG Budget from Education FundsClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News (AI-assisted rewrite, based on the original source)

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