19.08.202603:09:17UTC+00Rupiah Strengthens Ahead of Bank Indonesia Rate Call

The Indonesian rupiah strengthened to below IDR 17,850 per U.S. dollar on Wednesday, rebounding after briefly touching 17,950 in the previous session as traders positioned ahead of Bank Indonesia’s monetary policy decision later today. Markets widely expect policy continuity, with the board seen holding interest rates steady at its first meeting under acting Governor Destry Damayanti.

Investors will be watching how Destry balances currency stability with President Prabowo’s pro-growth agenda. Her appointment, following years as senior deputy to former governor Perry Warjiyo, together with a conservative draft budget for 2027, has helped reduce policy uncertainty and underpinned a rebound in Indonesian assets.

Further rupiah gains were limited by caution ahead of second-quarter current account data due later this week, after the first-quarter deficit widened to its largest since 2019 amid softer trade performance. Externally, the U.S. dollar index steadied after falling to a two-month low, as investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve’s July meeting for fresh guidance on the U.S. policy outlook.