JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Composite index of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) opened lower 0.14% at 5419 this morning to tracking the regional markets.

Asian shares began the week on the back foot on Monday after a downbeat session on Wall Street, Reuters reported. Friday’s weak U.S. inflation data failed to derail expectations that the Federal Reserve will tighten monetary policy.

Investors’ main focus this week is on the Fed’s two-day meeting beginning on Tuesday. After successive months of strong jobs data, expectations have been growing that the Fed will point towards a June rate rise by dropping a pledge to be “patient” in considering such a move.

Nymex’s crude oil dropped 3.72% to US$47.06 per barrel in Asian trading this morning while gold increased 0.56% to US$1,152.40 per ounce.

In domestic front, the Central Bureau of Statistic (BPS) schedules to release the trade data for February today. Adaro Energy fell 1.5%, Bumi Resorces declined 1.14%, and Lippo Karawaci shed 1.37%.