FOREIGN investors were net sellers on Bursa Malaysia for the second week in a row with -RM168.3 mil in net foreign outflows – a drastic improvement from -RM725.6 mil the prior week
They were net sellers on two out of the Hari Raya public holiday-shortened four trading days during the week, according to MBSB Research (formerly MIDF Research).
“The largest outflow was recorded on Thursday (March 16) (-RM244.3 mil) followed by Monday (March 16) (-RM175.5 mil).,” observed the research house in its weekly fund flow report.
“The largest inflows were recorded on Tuesday (March 17) (RM159.7 mil) and Wednesday (March 18 (RM91.8 mil).”
The top three sectors that recorded net foreign inflows were plantation (RM156.8 mil), industrial products & services (RM90.7 mil) and healthcare (RM61.0 mil).
Meanwhile, the top three sectors with net foreign outflows were financial Services (-RM399.3 mil), consumer products & services (-RM56.3 mil) and construction (-RM46.0 mil).
On the contrary, local institutions posted a net inflow of RM332.8 mil, marking two successive weeks of buying activities.
However, local retailers recorded net outflows of -RM164.6 mil, reverting to selling after the previous week’s gains.
The average daily trading volume (ADTV) saw a broad-based decline: local retailers by -12.7%, local institutions (-14.6%) while foreign investors saw an increase of +7.0%.
In comparison with another four Southeast Asian markets tracked by MBSB Research, Indonesia was the only market enjoying a net buying position with a meagre US$20.3 mil in net foreign inflows.
In Vietnam, foreign investors turned net sellers with -US$284.3 mil in net foreign outflows following the country’s multiple increases in its retail fuel prices within a short period.
Thailand extended its net selling streak to a third week with -U$$99.0 mil in net foreign outflows as the authorities moved to address its Oil Fuel Fund deficit of 12.6 bil baht (RM1.51 bil) by allowing incremental increases in diesel prices of 0.50 baht-1.00 baht/litre.
The Philippines also extended its net selling streak to a third week with -US$34.9 mil as crude oil prices negatively impacted its markets amid the country’s stature as a net energy importer and the ensuing inflationary risks.
The top three stocks with the highest net money inflow from foreign investors last week were Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (RM129.4 mil), SD Guthrie Bhd (RM126.5 mil) and MISC Bhd (RM98.0 mil). – March 24, 2026
