The Malaysian bond market experienced a second consecutive month of foreign capital outflow in September, to the tune of RM3.0 billion – exceeding the RM2.4 billion of the preceding month. On the whole, external factors remained the key driver of this trend, with the US Fed lifting the Fed Funds Rate (FFR) by 25 bps to a range of 2.00% to 2.25% – the third hike this year. Other than that, the protracted trade dispute between the US and China continues to accentuate global risk aversion and a flight to safety, with September recording a new slew of retaliatory tariffs by both sides.
On the domestic front, Bank Negara Malaysia held the Overnight Policy Rate steady at 3.25%, as anticipated. “The balance of growth and outflow pressures has placed the central bank between a rock and a hard place, as staying put remains the most optimal policy response,” notes RAM’s Head of Research, Kristina Fong. We expect this stance to be maintained in the foreseeable future as uncertainties still cloud domestic and external growth prospects amid continued global liquidity tightening and geopolitical concerns. Both domestic and foreign investors will be watching for announcements following the tabling of the 11th Malaysia Plan review and Budget 2019 (on 18 October and 2 November, respectively) for more concrete fiscal guidance on Malaysia’s debt and the fiscal deficit trajectory. Domestic macroeconomic strengths are therefore not expected to entice any significant foreign capital inflows until more clarity emerges.
-Ends-
Analytical contact
Kristina Fong
(603) 7628 1011
kristina@ram.com.my
Media contact
Padthma Subbiah
(603) 7628 1162
padthma@ram.com.my
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