MBSB Investment Bank Bhd’s fund flow report for the week ended Sept 26, 2025, reported that only Indonesia and the Philippines recorded net foreign inflows; the rest of the region saw net selling, with Taiwan registering the largest outflow of US$1.16 billion (RM4.89 billion), ending its three-week streak of net foreign purchases.
“This came as Taiwan’s unemployment rate rose in August 2025 for the third straight month as more first-time job seekers entered the labour market during graduation season,” the report said, citing the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) on Monday, Sept 22.
Meanwhile, MBSB IB said India ended its two-week streak of net inflows, turning net sellers with an outflow of US$1.08 billion (RM4.55 billion) despite industrial output growing at its fastest pace in four months in July 2025, driven by manufacturing activity.
Vietnam extended its losing streak to 10 consecutive weeks, posting an outflow of US$201.6 million (RM 849.04 million) last week after the US announced new import tariffs on Thursday.
South Korea also turned net sellers, reversing a three-week buying streak with an outflow of US$114.4 million (RM481.80 million) as its August producer prices fell for the first time in three months, due to a sharp decline in mobile phone charges following discounts offered by a major carrier after a data breach, central bank data showed on Tuesday, Sept 23.
“Thailand saw a third straight week of net selling, with an outflow of US$42.8 million (RM180.25 million), while Indonesia extended its two-week streak of net foreign inflows, recording the highest foreign purchases among tracked markets, with inflows of US$306.7 million (RM1.29 billion),” MBSB IB said.
This followed the conclusion of Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations on Sept 23, which removed tariffs on nearly all goods amid Trump’s trade war.
The Philippines also posted its second consecutive week of net foreign purchases, with inflows of US$111.1 million (RM467.90 million), 17.6 times higher than the modest inflow of US$6.3 million (RM 26.53 million) the week before.
On the domestic front, the investment bank said foreign investors turned net sellers last week, ending a two-week consecutive streak of purchases, posting a net outflow of RM451.5 million.
“Foreign investors were net sellers on all trading days, with daily outflows ranging from (–RM17.2 million to – RM223.5 million).
“The largest outflow occurred on Thursday, followed by Tuesday (-RM101.6 million), Wednesday (-RM67.4 million) and Friday (-RM41.8 million).
The smallest outflow was recorded on Monday at (–RM17.2 million),” it said.
The top three sectors that recorded net foreign inflows last week were consumer products and services (RM127 million), plantation (RM61.2 million) and energy (RM49.4 million).
The top three sectors that recorded net foreign outflows were financial services (-RM241.1 million), utilities (-RM177.7 million), and healthcare (-RM137.2 million).
The report also said local institutions reverted to net buying activities, ending a two-week consecutive net selling streak and registered a net inflow of RM696 million.
Local retailers extended a three-week consecutive net selling streak, with a net outflow of -RM244.6 million.
The average daily trading volume experienced a broad-based incline last week. Local retailers and local institutions recorded increases of 2.8% and 1.6%, respectively, while foreign investors saw a 39.7% decrease.