KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Foreigners extended net selling across eight Asian markets last week, with net foreign outflows totaling 12.13 billion U.S. dollars amid escalating Middle East tensions, MBSB Research said Tuesday.
The research house said in a note that net selling activities were broad-based, with Indonesia being the only country to receive net foreign inflows, recording 20.3 million dollars in net foreign inflows, as its central bank maintained the benchmark seven-day reverse repo rate, alongside the deposit facility and lending facility.
Outflows were led by Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines in Southeast Asia.
In Vietnam, foreign investors turned net sellers, recording 284.3 million dollars in net foreign outflows. This came with Vietnam increasing retail fuel prices multiple times within a short period, raising concerns over inflation risks and potential pressure on the government's 2026 inflation target.
Thailand recorded 99 million dollars in net foreign outflows, as authorities moved to address the Oil Fuel Fund deficit by allowing incremental increases in diesel prices.
The Philippines recorded 34.9 million dollars in net foreign outflows as crude oil prices negatively impacted the net energy importer's market.
For Malaysia, foreign investors were net sellers for the second week in a row, recording 42.45 million dollars in net foreign outflows. ■
