Latest news with #RM13.4
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Foreign Investors Remain Significant Net Buyers In First Half, Contribute Net Inflow Of RM21.4 Bln
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) -- Foreign investors remained significant net buyers in the first half of 2025, contributing a cumulative net inflow of RM21.4 billion year-to-date June 2025, said RAM Ratings Services Bhd (RAM Ratings). However, foreign holdings of Malaysian bonds eased to RM5.4 billion in June, reversing strong inflows of RM13.4 billion recorded in May, amid weaker investor sentiment due to US tariff uncertainty. 'This was primarily driven by selloffs of both long-term Malaysian Government Securities (MGS) and Government Investment Issues (GII), as well as short-term Malaysian Treasury Bills (MTB) and Malaysian Islamic Treasury Bills (MITB), which respectively amounted to RM5.3 billion and RM1 billion. 'Conversely, corporate bonds continued to attract foreign investments, which posted a net inflow of RM903.4 million (May: RM550 million),' it said in a statement. The credit rating agency said, however, that this was only the second month in 2025 to see an overall net foreign outflow, after February's RM1.1 billion. Furthermore, it said foreign investor interest could stay muted in July as the Aug 1 deadline for higher US reciprocal tariff rates looms and uncertainty remains over whether Malaysia can strike a deal before then. Growing expectation of a longer pause in the US monetary policy easing, given the hotter-than-anticipated July inflation print, also dulls the attractiveness of emerging market assets. 'Markets currently expect the US Federal Reserve (Fed) to keep the policy rate unchanged at 4.25-4.5 per cent at the upcoming July Federal Open Market Committee meeting,' RAM Ratings added. RAM Ratings said waning hopes of a Fed rate cut this month strengthened the greenback. As of July 17, the ringgit weakened moderately to 4.25 against the US dollar (end-June: 4.21).
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Foreign investors remain significant net buyers in 1H25, contribute net inflow of RM21.4bil
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign investors remained significant net buyers in the first half of 2025, contributing a cumulative net inflow of RM21.4 billion year-to-date June 2025, said RAM Ratings Services Bhd (RAM Ratings). However, foreign holdings of Malaysian bonds eased to RM5.4 billion in June, reversing strong inflows of RM13.4 billion recorded in May, amid weaker investor sentiment due to US tariff uncertainty. "This was primarily driven by selloffs of both long-term Malaysian Government Securities (MGS) and Government Investment Issues (GII), as well as short-term Malaysian Treasury Bills (MTB) and Malaysian Islamic Treasury Bills (MITB), which respectively amounted to RM5.3 billion and RM1 billion. "Conversely, corporate bonds continued to attract foreign investments, which posted a net inflow of RM903.4 million (May: RM550 million),' it said in a statement. The credit rating agency said, however, that this was only the second month in 2025 to see an overall net foreign outflow, after February's RM1.1 billion. Furthermore, it said foreign investor interest could stay muted in July as the Aug 1 deadline for higher US reciprocal tariff rates looms and uncertainty remains over whether Malaysia can strike a deal before then. Growing expectation of a longer pause in the US monetary policy easing, given the hotter-than-anticipated July inflation print, also dulls the attractiveness of emerging market assets. "Markets currently expect the US Federal Reserve (Fed) to keep the policy rate unchanged at 4.25-4.5 per cent at the upcoming July Federal Open Market Committee meeting,' RAM Ratings added. RAM Ratings said waning hopes of a Fed rate cut this month strengthened the greenback. As of July 17, the ringgit weakened moderately to 4.25 against the US dollar (end-June: 4.21). - Bernama
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Foreign investors pull RM5.4bil from Malaysian bonds in June
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign holdings of Malaysian bonds fell by RM5.4 billion in June, reversing strong inflows of RM13.4 billion recorded in May, according to RAM Ratings. In a statement today, the rating agency said this was amid weaker investor sentiment over when US reciprocal tariffs will take effect, as the initial deadline looms. "This was primarily driven by selloffs of both long-term Malaysian Government Securities (MGS) and Government Investment Issues (GII) and short-term Malaysian Treasury Bills (MTB) and Malaysian Islamic Treasury Bills (MITB), which respectively amounted to RM5.3 billion and RM1.0 billion. "Conversely, corporate bonds continued to attract foreign investments, recording a net inflow of RM903.4 million in June, up from RM550 million in May," it added. However, RAM Ratings said this is only the second month in 2025 to see an overall net foreign outflow, after February's RM1.1 billion. It noted that foreign investors remained major net buyers in the first half of 2025 (1H25), contributing to a cumulative net inflow of RM21.4 billion as of June 2025 year-to-date. Looking ahead, RAM Ratings said foreign investor interest could stay muted in July as the August 1 deadline for higher US reciprocal tariff rates looms and uncertainty remains over whether Malaysia can strike a deal before then. "Growing expectation of a longer pause in US monetary policy easing, given the hotter-than-anticipated July inflation print, also dulls the attractiveness of emerging market assets. "Markets currently expect the US Federal Reserve (Fed) to keep its policy rate unchanged at 4.25 per cent to 4.5 per cent at the upcoming July Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. "A rate reduction is now anticipated in September, with the market-assigned probability of a cut rising to 48.3 per cent on July 16, up from around 30 per cent on July 9, according to data from the CME FedWatch Tool," it said. Furthermore, RAM Ratings also said waning hopes of a Federal Reserve rate cut this month strengthened the greenback. It noted that as of July 17, the ringgit had weakened moderately to 4.25 against the US dollar, compared with 4.21 at the end of June.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Cops: Surge in rape, armed robbery cases in Kelantan alarming
KOTA BARU: While Kelantan recorded a 14.3 per cent drop in overall index crime during the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2024, there was a troubling rise in violent offences, including rape and armed robbery, said Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat. From January to June this year, a total of 967 index crime cases were reported, down from 1,129 during the same period last year. "This represents a reduction of 162 cases. However, there has been an upward trend in violent crime," he said at the state police headquarters' monthly assembly today. "Rape cases rose by 19, or 26.8 per cent, while cases of armed robbery involving firearms increased by 400 per cent, with four incidents recorded. "Assault cases also saw a rise of 16, marking an 18.8 per cent increase." Mohd Yusoff said the increase in violent crime highlighted the urgent need for closer monitoring, improved community awareness, and stronger enforcement efforts in high-risk areas. On drug-related offences, he said a marginal decline of one per cent — from 13,978 cases in the first half of 2024 to 13,865 this year. "Arrests of drug offenders also dropped by 3 per cent, from 15,007 to 14,618 individuals. "However, drug seizures saw a significant increase of 49 per cent, with narcotics worth RM13.4 million confiscated compared to RM6.8 million in the same period last year. "This marks a major success in our ongoing battle against drug trafficking and distribution syndicates. Our fight against crime and drugs is a form of modern jihad — one that demands sincerity, resilience and sacrifice." He also highlighted a recent success by a patrol unit from the Kuala Krai district police, which led to the seizure of RM3.1 million worth of cannabis. "I extend my highest appreciation and congratulations to the officers involved for their bravery, efficiency, and unwavering integrity in performing their duties with the utmost professionalism," he said.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Rape and armed robbery surge in Kelantan raises alarm
KOTA BARU: While Kelantan recorded a 14.3 per cent drop in overall index crime during the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2024, there was a troubling rise in violent offences, including rape and armed robbery, said Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat. From January to June this year, a total of 967 index crime cases were reported, down from 1,129 during the same period last year. "This represents a reduction of 162 cases. However, there has been an upward trend in violent crime," he said at the state police headquarters' monthly assembly today. "Rape cases rose by 19, or 26.8 per cent, while cases of armed robbery involving firearms increased by 400 per cent, with four incidents recorded. "Assault cases also saw a rise of 16, marking an 18.8 per cent increase." Mohd Yusoff said the increase in violent crime highlighted the urgent need for closer monitoring, improved community awareness, and stronger enforcement efforts in high-risk areas. On drug-related offences, he said a marginal decline of one per cent — from 13,978 cases in the first half of 2024 to 13,865 this year. "Arrests of drug offenders also dropped by 3 per cent, from 15,007 to 14,618 individuals. "However, drug seizures saw a significant increase of 49 per cent, with narcotics worth RM13.4 million confiscated compared to RM6.8 million in the same period last year. "This marks a major success in our ongoing battle against drug trafficking and distribution syndicates. Our fight against crime and drugs is a form of modern jihad — one that demands sincerity, resilience and sacrifice." He also highlighted a recent success by a patrol unit from the Kuala Krai district police, which led to the seizure of RM3.1 million worth of cannabis. "I extend my highest appreciation and congratulations to the officers involved for their bravery, efficiency, and unwavering integrity in performing their duties with the utmost professionalism," he said.
