Jakarta. Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) opened slightly higher at 8,069 on Wednesday, gaining 8 points with a trading range of 8,069–8,093.

Market turnover reached Rp 2.8 trillion (approx. $167 million) from 7.1 billion shares traded in 358,095 transactions. A total of 308 stocks advanced, 180 declined, and 176 were unchanged.

The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) suspended trading in five stocks at the start of the first session, citing unusual cumulative price increases. The affected stocks were Boston Furniture Industries (SOFA), Royaltama Mulia Kontraktorindo (RMKO), Supra Boga Lestari (RANC), Star Pacific (LPLI), and Fast Food Indonesia (FAST).

IDX Transaction Supervision Head Yulianto Aji Sadono said the suspensions serve as a “cooling down” measure to protect investors. “We urge all stakeholders to pay close attention to the information disclosure provided by issuers,” Yulianto said in a statement.

Meanwhile, IDX lifted suspensions on three stocks: VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas (VKTR), Bank Permata (BNLI), and Pelangi Indah Canindo (PICO), allowing them to resume trading in both the regular and cash markets starting Wednesday’s first session.

Across Asia, Japan’s Nikkei opened lower at 44,831, down 101 points or 0.22 percent, while South Korea’s KOSPI edged up 20 points, or 0.6 percent, to 3,444. 

On Wall Street, US stocks extended gains on Tuesday, closing out their fifth consecutive winning month despite concerns over a looming federal government shutdown. The S&P 500 rose 0.4 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 81 points, and the Nasdaq gained 0.3 percent.

Senate Democrats have voted down a Republican bill to keep funding the government, putting it on a near certain path to a shutdown after midnight Wednesday for the first time in nearly seven years.

The Senate rejected the legislation as Democrats are making good on their threat to close the government if President Donald Trump and Republicans won’t accede to their health care demands. The 55-45 vote on a bill to extend federal funding for seven weeks fell short of the 60 needed to end a filibuster and pass the legislation.

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