KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Friday amid mixed regional market performance as investors turned cautious over a possible rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and upcoming US economic data that may influence the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision next week. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) pared most earlier losses to settle 4.55 points easier, or 0.28 per cent, to 1,616.52 from Thursday’s close of 1,621.07. The benchmark index, which opened 0.37 of-a-point lower at 1,620.70, moved between 1,609.67 and 1,621.25 throughout the day. The broader market was negative, with decliners outpacing advancers 604 to 439. A total of 550 counters were unchanged, 1,151 untraded, and 18 suspended. Turnover declined to 3.17 billion units worth RM2.24 billion from 4.48 billion units worth RM2.75 billion yesterday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-presiden...
Malaysia’s latest fund flow report for the week ended Nov 7, 2025, paints a mixed picture: while global investors stay cautious amid economic turbulence, local institutions are quietly positioning for long-term gains.
Global Jitters Weigh on Markets
The week saw global markets shaken by weak data and uncertainty.
U.S. job cuts hit 153,074 in October — the highest since 2003 — driven by cost-cutting and AI restructuring.
The S&P PMI rose to 54.6, signaling growth, but consumer sentiment plunged to 50.3 amid shutdown fears.
In Europe, the PMI came in at 52.5 with the ECB holding rates steady.
China’s exports fell 1.1%, underscoring cooling demand.
Result: a risk-off mood swept through Asia. Japan’s Nikkei dropped 4.1%, and Brent oil slid 2.2%, extending global caution.
Asia Sees Heavy Foreign Outflows
Foreign funds pulled USD9.88 billion out of Asian markets.
Indonesia (+USD207.2m) and Philippines (+USD76.9m) bucked the trend, buoyed by stronger GDP and easing sentiment.
- South Korea led the outflows (-USD5.05b) on weak PMI, with India and Vietnam following suit.The culprits? Geopolitical tensions, tariff effects, and sluggish data—triggering defensive positioning across the region.
Malaysia: Locals Step Up as Foreigners Retreat
Malaysia saw its fifth straight week of foreign net selling (-RM85.4m), while local institutions were net buyers for the same duration, injecting RM280.7m into the market.
Retail investors, however, reversed course with net sales of RM195.2m.
Trading volumes softened slightly across all segments, signaling a cooling momentum — but institutional buying hints at underlying confidence in domestic value plays.
Top Fund Flows
Foreign Investors’ Top Buys
GENM (RM179.8m)
SDG (RM134.2m)
IHH (RM111.2m)
Local Institutions’ Top Sells
SDG (-RM135.3m)
IHH (-RM111.2m)
MAYBANK (-RM57.5m)
Retail Investors’ Top Sells
GENM (-RM217.9m)
SUNWAY (-RM30m)
ZETRIX (-RM18.9m)
Smart Money Strategy
Local institutions are doubling down on defensive sectors like financials and utilities — signaling a focus on long-term stability. Retail investors remain nimble, chasing short-term consumer and property trends, while foreign investors juggle global risks by rotating out of Malaysian tech but into plantations as a defensive hedge.
Bottom line:
Foreign funds may be retreating, but Malaysia’s institutional investors are playing the long game — spotting value where global sentiment sees volatility.
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