Indonesia Equities Plunge to Near 5-Month Low

Stocks in Indonesia sank 95 points or 1.4% to a near 5-month low of 6,709, in afternoon trade on Friday, extending losses for the 7th session and heading for a 4.4% slump for the week which would be the fourth straight weekly losses, after data from the central bank showed retail sales in the country grew the least since May in October amid rising cost pressures after a steep fuel price hike in September.

Traders were also downbeat following a blast at a police station in West Java this week, with authorities saying the attack was carried out by a terrorist group.

Meantime, worries mounted that changes in Indonesia's criminal code would deter foreigners from visiting or investing in the country as the new rules ban curb free speech.

Shares of GoTo, ride-hailing Gojek and e-commerce firm Tokopedia, sank 7% to a new low of IDR98, far below its IPO price of IDR 338.

Other bottom movers were United Tractors (-2.7%), Kalbe Farma (-2.3%), Telkom Indonesia (-1.9%), and Bank Mandiri (-0.8%).