Kuala lumpur: Foreign investors were net buyers for the second consecutive week across eight Asian markets, with net foreign inflows totaling US$4.39 billion (RM17.35 billion).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MBSB Investment Bank Bhd (MBSB IB) reported in its fund flow report for the week ended April 17, 2026, that net buying activities were led by Taiwan and India. Meanwhile, net selling was primarily seen in South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

The report highlighted that foreign institutions on Bursa Malaysia turned into net sellers on three out of five trading days during the week, ending a three-week streak of net buying and recording RM63.7 million in outflows. The largest outflow was observed on Wednesday, amounting to RM102.3 million, followed by Thursday with RM87.5 million, and Friday with RM59 million.

In terms of sectoral performance, the financial services sector saw the highest net foreign inflows at RM342 million, followed by energy at RM37.2 million, and plantation at RM32.3 million. On the other hand, the utilities sector experienced the largest net foreign outflow at RM103.7 million, with healthcare and consumer products and services sectors following at RM99.1 million and RM79.5 million, respectively.

MBSB IB also noted that local institutions broke a three-week net selling trend by turning into net buyers, recording a net inflow of RM273.3 million. Retail investors, however, reverted to net selling, with net outflows amounting to RM209.6 million.

The report further detailed that the average daily trading volume showed a mixed performance: a 6.4 percent rise for retailers, a 1.9 percent decline for local institutions, and a 9.8 percent increase for foreign institutions.