KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund reported an investment income of RM57.57bil for the nine months ending Sept 30, 2024 , marking a 20% increase from RM47.86bil in the same period in 2023.
“Malaysia’s gross domestic product grew by a solid 5.9% year-on-year in the second quarter, while the FBM KLCI closed at 1648 at the end of Q3, returning 13% year-to-date. Investor sentiment remains positive, bolstered by the performance of Malaysian companies, economic policies, and fiscal reforms.
“China’s real GDP growth was recorded at 4.6% year-on-year, slightly down from 4.7% in the previous quarter. Nonetheless, risks remain in the global outlook such as the trajectory and pace of interest rate reductions, persistent and escalating geopolitical tensions particularly in the Middle East, and potential higher import tariffs into the U.S. with the election of Donald Trump last week,” he added.
Meanwhile, real estate and infrastructure posted a gain of RM0.82bil for the quarter on a constant currency basis. However, as most real estate and infrastructure investments, along with money market instruments, are denominated in currencies other than the ringgit, the recent strengthening of the ringgit against the US dollar in 3Q24 led to a loss of RM3.71bil in real estate and infrastructure, and RM1.45bil in money market instruments, due to foreign exchange translation.
In the 3Q24, international investments contributed RM10.50bil, accounting for 53% of total investment income.