Foreign investors turned net buyers in Asian markets last week, reversing the previous week’s outflow, recording an inflow of US$996 million (RM4.22 billion), with Taiwan recording the highest purchases in the region.

Malaysia’s construction sector maintained steady growth of 12.9%, with the value of work done reaching RM43.9 billion in the second quarter of 2025, following a 16.6% increase in the previous quarter, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc has returned to a preference for investment-grade dollar bonds over high-yield debt in Asia, citing worries about the US economy and expectations of a growth-friendly Federal Reserve (Fed).

Economists expect Malaysian industrial production to decline in the months ahead as support from front-loading activities to beat US tariffs unwinds.

Recurring applications for unemployment benefits surged to the highest since November 2021, adding to recent signs that the labour market is weakening.

China’s trade volume with the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) increased by 8.2% year-on-year in January-July, reaching US$596.99 billion (RM2.5 trillion), according to TASS news agency, citing the General Administration of Customs of China.