Indonesian surplus!

It has been announced in Indonesia today that its trade balance altered back to surplus during May, reporting a burst of further positive data - a boost for the top economy of South East Asia following a recent slowdown.

According to the statistics agency, the surplus was slightly higher than anticipated at $70million, following a deficit of nearly $2billion during April as exports were affected by a controversial mineral ore export ban.

The trade balance is especially closely observed by investors, with economists claiming the surplus is efficient during the high uncertainty prior to an increasingly tense presidential election next week.

Manufacturing activity also expanded, as reported by HSBC's manufacturing purchasing managers' index for Indonesia.

It rose to 52.7 during June, from 52.4 during the month before, the highest reading since the survey begun April 2011. The reading above 50 signals growth and as a reading below 50 would be contraction.