Jakarta. The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) closed in the red on Wednesday, slipping 17.2 points, or 0.21 percent, to 8,043 as investors digested a wave of domestic and global cues.

The benchmark index moved in the range of 8,034–8,093 throughout the day. According to RTI data, 56.8 billion shares changed hands with a turnover of Rp 22.5 trillion ($1.35 billion) across 2.8 million transactions. Some 289 stocks gained, 378 declined, and 130 were unchanged, leaving the market capitalization at Rp 14,887.6 trillion.

Pilarmas Investindo Sekuritas said Wednesday’s downturn was largely shaped by foreign investor outflows. Data showed overseas investors booked a net sell of Rp 1.25 trillion in the regular market on Tuesday.

“On the positive side, domestic catalysts continue to emerge, although they appear to offer limited support. The latest PMI Manufacturing survey showed activity remained in expansion territory at 50.4 but slowed from 51.5 in August, reflecting weaker demand and lower output,” Pilarmas said in a note.

Indonesia’s statistics agency (BPS) reported a $5.49 billion trade surplus in August, supported by exports of $24.96 billion versus imports of $19.43 billion. BPS also revealed September inflation stood at 0.21 percent month-on-month and 2.65 percent year-on-year, comfortably within Bank Indonesia’s target range of 1.5–3.5 percent.

“Stable inflation gives BI more room to cut interest rates, which in turn could lift purchasing power and business investment, supporting growth,” Pilarmas added.

Global sentiment, however, remained fragile. Investors weighed the risk of a US government shutdown after Congress failed to approve a funding bill, with Republicans and Democrats blaming each other for the deadlock. US consumer confidence also fell to 94.2 in September, its lowest in five months, fueling speculation the Federal Reserve may extend its rate-cut cycle.

Across Asia, stock markets moved mixed. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.2 percent to 44,411.26 as the Bank of Japan’s Tankan survey signaled stronger business sentiment, bolstering expectations of a rate hike. Political uncertainty also clouded Tokyo as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party prepared to pick a new prime minister this week.

South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.8 percent to 3,450.62  while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.4 percent to 8,812.90. Mainland China remained shut for the National Day holiday, though the People’s Bank of China announced a 1.1 trillion yuan ($160 billion) liquidity injection once markets reopen.

On Wall Street overnight, the S&P 500 rose 0.4 percent to 6,688.46, notching a fifth consecutive monthly gain. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.2 percent to 46,397.89, while the Nasdaq edged 0.3 percent higher to 22,660.01.

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