Jakarta. Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) closed stronger on Monday, rising 77.93 points or 0.90 percent to 8,710 as investors rode year-end momentum and renewed optimism over global rate cuts.

The benchmark moved between 8,642 and 8,720 throughout the session. Total volume reached 57.32 billion shares, with turnover at Rp 27.33 trillion ($1.64 billion) across more than 2.9 million transactions. Gainers outpaced decliners 385 to 265, while 153 counters were unchanged.

Pilarmas Investindo Sekuritas said the advance was supported by expectations of a Santa Claus rally and optimism following Bank Indonesia’s recent rate cut. The brokerage highlighted foreign capital inflow of Rp 14.08 trillion into domestic financial markets in the first week of December, adding another layer of support.

Asian markets were broadly mixed on the day as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision this week. Pilarmas noted sentiment improved after US labor data and core inflation aligned with expectations, reinforcing the case for further easing. Markets are currently pricing in an 88 percent chance of a 25-basis-point cut, the firm said.

Geopolitical headlines kept investors cautious. Pilarmas flagged sluggish peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, concerns over possible US military action in Venezuela, and rising tension between China and Japan after Beijing's aircraft carrier conducted drills near Japanese waters. Japan lodged a formal protest, calling the radar-lock incident over the weekend “dangerous” and “extremely regrettable.”

In regional trading, sentiment also reacted to China’s improving external performance. The country posted a November trade surplus of $111.68 billion, up from $97.33 billion a year earlier and beating expectations. Pilarmas said the figure marked the strongest surplus since June as exports grew faster than imports.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.2 percent to 50,581.94 following revised data showing the economy contracted 2.3 percent annually in the July–September quarter. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.2 percent, while China’s Shanghai Composite gained 0.5 percent. South Korea’s Kospi added 1.3 percent and Taiwan’s benchmark rose 1.2 percent.

Global cues remained steady after Wall Street ended last week with modest gains. The S&P 500 and Dow each rose 0.2 percent on Friday, while the Nasdaq added 0.3 percent. Investors are now watching whether the Fed will deliver its third rate cut of the year on Wednesday amid worries about AI-driven capital flows and volatility in crypto markets. Lower rates could support asset prices and growth, though inflation remains above the Fed’s 2 percent target.

Add as a preferred source on Google +