Foreign shareholding in Malaysian equities plunges to 15-year low
The drop followed a net sell-off of RM1.3 billion by foreign investors during the month, reversing their net buying position in May.
This brought cumulative net foreign outflows for the first half of 2025 to RM12.1 billion. Since 2010, total net foreign outflows from Malaysian equities have reached RM50.6 billion.
CIMB Securities attributed the decline in foreign shareholding to the weaker performance of stocks with higher foreign ownership, compounded by sustained net foreign selling.
The top three stocks that saw significant foreign selling in June were Public Bank Bhd, RHB Bank Bhd and KPJ Healthcare Bhd. Sector-wise, foreign investors concentrated their selling in the financial services and healthcare sectors.
Despite accounting for 44 per cent of total trade value in June, which was the highest among all investor groups, CIMB Securities noted that foreign investor sentiment remains fragile.
The average share of trading value for foreign investors rose to 42 per cent in the first half of 2025, surpassing the 2024 average of 36 per cent.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
18 minutes ago
- The Sun
Ringgit strengthens against US dollar amid tariff deadline concerns
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened firmer against the US dollar on Wednesday, supported by cautious optimism ahead of the looming Aug 1 tariff deadline. At 8.03 am, the local currency strengthened to 4.2195/2375 against the greenback, up from Tuesday's close of 4.2300/2370. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ringgit is likely to trade between RM4.22 and RM4.24 today as markets remain wary of potential tariff impacts. 'Investors are adopting a guarded stance, waiting for clearer signals on trade policies,' he noted. SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes attributed the ringgit's early gains to shifting macroeconomic conditions. 'The US dollar is under pressure from falling Treasury yields and domestic political concerns, which is benefiting emerging market currencies like the ringgit,' he said. Innes added that the ringgit's rebound reflects more than just a temporary bounce. 'A softer dollar, renewed trade talks, and hopes for tariff relief are creating a favourable environment for the ringgit,' he told Bernama. He also highlighted ongoing negotiations between Malaysia and the US, where Malaysian officials are reportedly seeking a reduced tariff rate of 15–20 per cent, compared to the proposed 25 per cent. Against other major currencies, the ringgit showed mixed performance. It weakened against the Japanese yen to 2.8767/8891 from 2.8690/8739 and dipped versus the euro to 4.9528/9740 from 4.9512/9594. However, it edged higher against the British pound, rising to 5.7052/7295 from 5.7088/7183. Regionally, the ringgit strengthened against the Singapore dollar to 3.3001/3144 from 3.3011/3071 and appreciated against the Indonesian rupiah to 258.5/259.7 from 259.1/259.7. It also gained slightly against the Philippine peso to 7.39/7.43 from 7.41/7.43. However, it slipped against the Thai baht to 13.1138/1767 from 13.0899/1172. - Bernama
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Mohamed Khaled begins three-day official visit to Turkiye
ISTANBUL: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin arrived here on Tuesday (July 22) night for a three-day official visit to Turkiye aimed at strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and exploring strategic defence opportunities. He landed at Istanbul Airport at approximately 9.30pm local time (2.30am Malaysian time), where he was received by Malaysia's Consul General in Istanbul, Ahmad Amiri Abu Bakar, and Turkish Liaison Officer Captain (Engineer) Serkan Ekin. Mohamed Khaled is accompanied by Royal Malaysian Navy Chief Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain and a delegation from the Defence Ministry. During the visit, he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Turkiye, Azerbaijan and Sudan - Turkiye's Defence Minister Yasar Guler, Azerbaijan's Defence Minister Vugar Mustafayev, and Sudan's Defence Minister Hassan Daoud Kayan. He will also attend the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025, one of the world's leading defence exhibitions, organised by Turkiye's Ministry of National Defence. The exhibition is taking place at the Istanbul Expo Centre from July 22 to 27 and brings together global defence industry stakeholders to showcase and explore the latest technologies and innovations. Several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Malaysian government agencies and companies with their Turkish counterparts are expected to be signed during the exhibition. As part of his itinerary, Mohamed Khaled will also meet with officials from Turkiye's Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), the agency responsible for managing the country's defence industry and military technology development. In addition, he is scheduled to inspect the progress of three Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) from the second batch, currently under construction by Turkish defence firm Savunma Teknolojileri Muhendislik (STM) at the Istanbul Shipyard. This follows his visit to Turkiye in June last year, during which the Ministry of Defence issued the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to STM for the procurement of the three LMS vessels. - Bernama
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Zafrul: Halal certification a 'red line' in US trade talks
KUALA LUMPUR: Halal certification is one of Malaysia's non-negotiable issues, or "red lines", in ongoing trade discussions with the United States. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said several discussions with the relevant ministries and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) on the recognition of halal certificates issued by the US have also been conducted. Any agreement on the matter, he said, must be in line with Jakim's standards. "The issue of halal certification is also one of our red lines, for example, the recognition of halal certificates from the US. "Guidelines have been developed based on past experience and in consultation with the US. "If they follow Jakim's requirements and maintain similar standards to those adopted in other countries, then we can consider accepting them. But the recognition must come from Jakim," he said during the question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Tengku Zafrul was responding to a supplementary question from Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman (PN-Bachok), who asked for further clarification on the red lines outlined by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on tariffs imposed by the US. Anwar had said Malaysia will not compromise on its national policies in trade negotiations, even as discussions with the US on proposed tariffs continue. He said the government had drawn a clear red line to protect its policies, including those that provide opportunities for local companies and uphold the Bumiputera agenda. Commenting further, Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia will remain firm in defending its core economic policies, not only with the US but also with international companies. He said such a principle is essential to protect Bumiputera interests and to ensure the country's economic development remains balanced. "While we maintain a proactive and open stance in negotiations, we have also identified the red lines, non-negotiable issues, which were recently agreed upon at the cabinet level," he said. He also cited the National Trade Estimate Report released by the US, which highlighted several Malaysian policies, including local equity requirements in government procurement as trade barriers. "They raised concerns over Malaysia's government procurement policies and local equity requirements, which they argue affect market access. They also said their market is open, so why isn't ours? "Intellectual property protection is also a recurring agenda item in efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation. "As such, we must stand firm in defending our key policies, including those related to ownership, procurement, and the sovereignty of our trade policies."
