Foreign Investors Net Sell Nearly $50 Billion in Stocks Across Seven Asian Markets in October
LSEG data show that foreign investors net sold $49.77 billion in stocks across seven Asian markets, including Vietnam, in October 2026, the largest monthly net outflow since June. Taiwan and South Korea faced the heaviest selling pressure, and outflows continued into November.
According to London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) data, foreign investors net sold a combined $49.77 billion in stocks across South Korea, Taiwan (China), India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines in October 2026, the largest monthly net outflow since June of that year. Since the start of November, these markets have recorded a further $22.6 billion in net foreign outflows.
A stock index display at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.（VietVance）
Taiwan (China) and South Korea faced the heaviest selling pressure. In October, foreign investors net sold $30.68 billion and $14.59 billion in stocks in the two markets, respectively. Taiwan’s net sales were the highest since at least January 2008. Since the start of November, the two markets have recorded further net foreign outflows of $19.76 billion and $8.32 billion, respectively.
Markets are focused on major technology companies’ spending on artificial intelligence and the possibility of tighter US regulation of the sector. Wael Makarem, a market strategist at Exness, said investors are increasingly questioning the effectiveness of spending on AI infrastructure and the sector’s profit prospects, prompting them to reduce their holdings of related stocks. Some analysts believe foreign investors may also be shifting funds to developed markets. In October, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index excluding Japan fell 6.91%, while the MSCI World Index declined 1.69%.
Foreign investors net sold $3.6 billion in Indian stocks in October, marking a second consecutive month of outflows. Since the start of November, however, India has recorded net foreign inflows of $5.68 billion. HSBC upgraded its recommendation on Indian stocks to overweight, citing relatively resilient corporate earnings and more reasonable valuations. Indonesia and Thailand recorded net foreign outflows of $938 million and $199 million, respectively, in October.
Source: VietVance
