The year 2017 has come to an end, with the rupiah closing at Rp13.600 per US$, or 0.7 percent weaker than in January. But if we look closely, the rupiah actually strengthened for an eight-month stretch at Rp13,300, thanks to Standard & Poor's BBB- investment grade rating, which attracted an additional inflow of foreign funds. By year-end, however, the market's anticipated rise in the US$ interest rate, as well as expectations of a stronger U.S. eco