Gotrade News - The rupiah experienced a slight gain on Tuesday (31/3/2026), rising by 15 points to IDR 16,987 per US dollar, up from the previous closing of IDR 17,002. This increase was driven by dovish remarks from Federal Reserve (The Fed) officials.
Statements by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, who sees no urgent need to raise interest rates, provided a boost for the rupiah. Controlled inflation expectations were cited as the main reason behind this decision.
Powell mentioned that The Fed prefers not to respond to rising energy prices with higher interest rates. It is believed that monetary policy could burden economic growth if implemented at this time.
The rupiah's appreciation is still seen as limited. Geopolitical tensions, especially in the Middle East, along with rising oil prices, continue to pressure the currency.
Lukman Leong, an analyst at Doo Financial Futures, noted that the market remains cautious about potential conflict escalation in Iran, which could trigger exchange rate fluctuations.
On the same trading day, other Asian currencies also showed gains against the US dollar. The Japanese yen and the Malaysian ringgit saw minor increases.
Despite the slight rise, the rupiah remains in the IDR 17,000 range. Analyst Ibrahim Assuaibi predicts the rupiah will fluctuate but may end the day weaker.
The weakening US labor market also draws attention. A reduction of 92,000 jobs last month adds to economic uncertainty.
In the current global economic climate, The Fed views stable interest rate policies as more favorable, considering the unclear impact of the escalation in the Middle East.
Reference:
- Liputan6, Rupiah Hari Ini Menguat Tipis Usai Tembus 17.000 per USD. Accessed on March 31, 2026
- MetroTV, Rupiah Masih di Rp17.000 Pagi Ini. Accessed on March 31, 2026
- Berita Satu, Rupiah Hari Ini 31 Maret Masih Tertekan pada Level 17.000 Per Dolar AS. Accessed on March 31, 2026
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