Foreign institutional investors extended their selling streak on Bursa Malaysia for the seventh consecutive week, recording net outflows of RM554.7 million last week, according to an analysis by MBSB Research.
Foreign institutions remained net sellers throughout all five trading sessions, with the largest outflows recorded on Tuesday at RM176.8 million, followed by Friday (RM171.5 million), Thursday (RM99.5 million), Wednesday (RM77.4 million) and Monday (RM29.5 million).
The continued foreign selling pressure came amid cautious investor sentiment as global markets assessed macroeconomic developments and shifting expectations on interest rates.
Sector-wise, foreign institutions were net buyers of selected areas, led by Industrial Products & Services with RM69.8 million in inflows. Technology followed with RM19.9 million, while Utilities recorded RM19.4 million in net foreign purchases.
However, the selling pressure was concentrated in Financial Services, which recorded the largest foreign outflow at RM257.7 million.
Other sectors that saw significant foreign selling included Consumer Products & Services with RM98.9 million in outflows, and Construction with RM93.5 million.
Meanwhile, local institutional investors extended their buying momentum for an 11th consecutive week, recording net inflows of RM191.6 million.
Retail investors also returned as net buyers after a week of selling activity, registering net inflows of RM363.2 million.
Despite the mixed fund flows, trading activity weakened across all investor categories.
Average daily trading volume (ADTV) declined across the board, with retail participation falling 21.2%, local institutional activity decreasing 28.4%, and foreign institutional trading volume declining 33.7%.
MBSB Research noted that while foreign selling remained a key feature of recent market activity, continued support from domestic institutions and retail investors helped cushion the impact of external outflows.
