Rupiah Opens Stronger Against U.S Dollar

Jakarta, Jan 17 (Antara) - Rupiah regained some of its lost value against the US dollar in the opening trade on Friday on US economic falling short of target. Rupiah traded at the level of 12,095 per US dollar in inter-bank transactions gaining from 12,099 earlier. Chief researcher of Monex Investindo Futures, Ariston Tjendra, said rupiah gained slightly over the US dollar following report of US consumer prices fell below target set by the Fed. "In addition the Fed also still maintained low interest rate. The trend opens an opportunity for rupiah to continue the gain," Ariston said. However, the US dollar is still on the increase against the majority of major global currencies on positive US retail sales data, he said. "Speculation that US economic recovery could continues that the Fed`s decision to trim it massive financial stimulus would take place this year," he said. Trust Securities` chief researcher Reza Priyambada said report of an increase in the German inflation and a decline in the Italian trade balance could curb any gain by currencies of developing nations including rupiah.