Malaysia's Current Account Remains Surplus At RM10.8 Bln In 2Q 2026 - DOSM
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s current account balance (CAB) recorded a surplus of RM10.8 billion in the second quarter of 2026 (2Q 2026), primarily supported by a substantial increase in the goods surplus to RM40.7 billion, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
In the balance of payments statistics for 2Q 2026 released today, the department said the surplus cushioned the decline in the services account as it turned to a deficit of RM0.7 billion from a surplus of RM6.4 billion in 1Q 2026.
It said the financial account reversed to a net outflow of RM27.0 billion, contributed by outflows in portfolio investment amounting to RM35.2 billion.
“Foreign direct investment (FDI) narrowed to a net inflow of RM7.4 billion, whereas direct investment abroad (DIA) outflows moderated to RM7.0 billion, reflecting reduced cross-border investment activities by Malaysian companies,” it said.
DOSM said the current account surplus in 2Q 026 was supported by sustained strong demand for electrical and electronic (E&E) products, petroleum products, and machinery, equipment, and parts, particularly from the United States, Singapore, and China.
Similarly, imports of goods increased by 21.7 per cent quarter-on-quarter to RM318.6 billion, with the major contributors comprising intermediate goods and capital goods predominantly from China, Singapore and Taiwan.
Meanwhile, the primary income account posted a higher deficit of RM27.2 billion compared with the preceding quarter, largely influenced by the increased earnings generated by foreign investors in Malaysia, which rose to RM47.2 billion.
On the other hand, Malaysian companies abroad earned a higher income of RM22.8 billion, following a rise in dividend repatriations by direct investors over the quarter.
“Concurrently, the secondary Income account deficit narrowed to RM2.1 billion from RM4.0 billion in the first quarter, underpinned by higher receipts from abroad,” it said.
As of the end of 2Q 2026, the accumulated FDI position reached RM1.11 trillion, whereas the DIA position stood at RM624.9 billion.
The country’s total financial assets were valued at RM2.82 trillion, slightly exceeding total liabilities of RM2.75 trillion.
“Therefore, Malaysia’s International Investment Position recorded a net asset of RM68.3 billion, with international reserves standing at RM537.0 billion as of end-June 2026,” it added.
-- BERNAMA