Latest News Stream - Foreign Direct Investment

Foreign direct investment (FDI) implemented in Vietnam rose 13.1% year-on-year to USD 24.08 billion in the first ten months of 2026. Meanwhile, Vietnamese investment abroad reached USD 3.41 billion, surging 3.1 times from the same period last year. This included USD 1.87 billion in newly licensed projects across 132 investments and an additional USD 1.54 billion in adjusted capital across 34 projects. Ho Chi Minh City attracted USD 19.1 billion in FDI during January–October, equivalent to 73.9% of its annual target, with nearly USD 5.7 billion in additional capital registered by operating projects. The city remains Vietnam's top FDI destination, with investors increasingly targeting high technology, digital infrastructure, logistics and strategic infrastructure projects.

Brazil recorded foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of $11.3 billion in September 2026, marking the highest level since January 2017, up from $9.6 billion a year earlier and well above market expectations of $6.5 billion. Equity inflows totaled $8.1 billion, including $4.3 billion in non-reinvested equity and $3.8 billion in reinvested earnings, while intercompany lending added $3.2 billion. Portfolio investment recorded net outflows of $2.1 billion in September 2026, as equity and fund investments posted outflows of $1.7 billion and debt securities recorded outflows of $0.4 billion. Over the 12 months to September, FDI totaled $88.3 billion, equivalent to 3.43% of GDP.

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Philippines plunged by 44.1% year-on-year to USD 689 million in July 2026. The decline was driven by lower net inflows in net equity capital investments other than reinvestment of earnings and net debt instruments, dropping 55.5% and 49.1%, respectively, which more than offset the 39.9% increase in reinvestment of earnings. In the first seven months of the year, net FDI inflows decreased by 23.9% to USD 4.07 billion, reflecting lower net inflows across all major FDI components, such as net equity capital investments other than reinvestment of earnings (-6.9%), reinvestment of earnings (-14.2%), and net debt instruments (-30.6%).Capital placements came primarily from Japan, the United States, and Singapore. These funds were channeled largely into the manufacturing, financial and insurance, and real estate industries.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursed in Vietnam rose 12.1% year-on-year to USD 21.07 billion in the first nine months of 2026, marking the highest level of realized FDI for the first nine months of a year in the past five years. Meanwhile, total registered foreign investment reached USD 50.36 billion, surging 76.4% from the same period last year. Newly registered FDI reached USD 29.24 billion across 3,108 projects, up 2.64% in the number of projects and 2.4 times in registered capital from the same period last year. Manufacturing led with 45.8% of new capital, followed by transportation and warehousing (17.6%) and other sectors (36.26%). By country, Singapore led with USD 9.2 billion, accounting for 31.7% of total newly registered capital, followed by South Korea (19.5%), China (7.8%), and Japan (5.3%).

South Africa reported foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of ZAR 49.8 billion in Q2 2026, the highest since Q2 2023, up from ZAR 20.3 billion in Q1, central bank data showed. The increase was attributed to debt funding received by an unspecified domestic telecommunications company from its non-resident parent company. Meanwhile, portfolio investments recorded an outflow of ZAR 9 billion, reversing an inflow of ZAR 9 billion in the previous period, as foreign investors sold ZAR 34.2 billion in domestic shares, partly offset by ZAR 25.1 billion in purchases of domestic bonds. Other investment liabilities shifted to a ZAR 0.1 billion outflow in Q2, from a ZAR 53.5 billion inflow in Q1, as non-residents withdrew bank deposits, while new debt funding was provided to the private non-banking sector.

Brazil recorded foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of $7.4 billion in August 2026, down from $7.7 billion a year earlier. Equity inflows totaled $9.3 billion, including $3.6 billion in non-reinvested equity and $5.7 billion in reinvested earnings, while intercompany lending recorded net outflows of $1.9 billion. Portfolio investment recorded net outflows of $5.2 billion in August 2026, as equity and fund investments posted outflows of $6.5 billion, partly offset by inflows of $1.3 billion in debt securities. Over the 12 months to August, FDI totaled $86.6 billion, equivalent to 3.39% of GDP.

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Philippines rose by 35.1% year-on-year to USD 447 million in June 2026. The increase was driven by higher reinvestment of earnings (+43.1%), net equity other than reinvestment of earnings (+8.9%), and net debt instruments (+24.2%). In the first half of 2026, net FDI inflows decreased by 17.8% to USD 3.38 billion, as reinvestment of earnings declined by 19.4% and net debt instruments fell 25.8%, partially offset by a 59.4% increase in net equity other than reinvestment of earnings. Capital placements came primarily from Japan, the United States, and Singapore. These funds were channeled largely into the manufacturing, financial and insurance, and real estate industries.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursed in Vietnam rose 12.0% year-on-year to USD 17.25 billion in the first eight months of 2026, marking the highest level of FDI implementation for the first eight months of a year since at least 2008 and underscoring continued investment in the economy. Meanwhile, total registered foreign investment reached USD 40.63 billion as of August 31, up 55.4% from the same period last year. The figure includes newly registered capital, adjusted capital and capital contributions and share purchases by foreign investors. Separately, investment capital disbursed from the State budget increased 18.5% year-on-year to VND 546.8 trillion during the period, equivalent to 50.5% of the annual plan. Of this, locally managed investment reached VND 470.9 trillion, up 20.4%, while centrally managed investment totaled VND 75.9 trillion, up 7.9%.

Malaysia’s foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows dropped sharply to MYR 7.4 billion in Q2 2026 from MYR 22.8 billion in the previous quarter, marking the lowest level since Q2 2025. The sharp quarterly drop suggested that Malaysia’s FDI performance remained vulnerable to a more cautious global investment environment. By sector, FDI was mainly channelled into services, particularly the information & communication subsector, while manufacturing and construction were the next-largest recipients. Investment was led by China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Philippines sank by 64.7% year-on-year to a more than decade-low of USD 210 million in May 2026. The decline was driven by lower net investments in debt instruments and reinvestment of earnings, which more than offset the increase in net equity capital investments other than reinvestment of earnings. In the first five months of 2026, net FDI inflows fell 33.4% year-on-year to USD 2.18 billion, as net investments in debt instruments dropped 49.5% to USD 1.25 billion and reinvested earnings declined 9.7% to USD 383 million, outweighing a 17.4% increase in equity capital investments to USD 925 million. Equity capital placements were sourced mainly from Japan, the United States, and Singapore and were directed primarily to the manufacturing, financial and insurance, and real estate sectors.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursed in Vietnam rose 11.8% year-on-year to USD 15.20 billion in the first seven months of 2026, underscoring continued inflows into the country's economy. During the period, Vietnam recorded 106 newly licensed overseas investment projects, totaling USD 1.17 billion, 2.9 times higher than in the previous year. Additionally, there were 23 projects with adjusted capital, which rose by USD 1.19 billion, 9.2 times higher. Overall, total overseas investment, including both new and adjusted capital, reached USD 2.36 billion, 4.5 times higher than the same period last year. As a result, total registered foreign investment in Vietnam, including newly registered capital, adjusted registered capital, and capital contributions and share purchases by foreign investors, surged 4.5 times from the same period last year to USD 2.36 billion.

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Philippines plunged 58.8% year-on-year to an almost a decade-low of USD 250 million in April 2026. The decline was driven by a 91.7% drop in net investments in debt instruments and a 1.9% decrease in reinvested earnings, which more than offset a 3,040.6% surge in equity capital investments other than reinvestment of earnings. In the first four months of 2026, net FDI inflows fell 26.5% year-on-year to USD 1.97 billion, as declines in net investments in debt instruments (-40.3%) and reinvested earnings (-14.0%) outweighed a 53.7% increase in equity capital investments. Equity capital placements continued to be sourced mainly from Japan, the United States, and Singapore and were directed primarily to the manufacturing, financial and insurance, and real estate sectors.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursed in Vietnam increased 11.2% year-on-year to USD 13.03 billion in January–June 2026, marking the highest level of FDI implementation for the first six months of the year in at least 18 years. During the period, Vietnam recorded 94 newly licensed overseas investment projects, totaling USD 820.3 million, 2.3 times higher than in the previous year. Additionally, there were 15 projects with adjusted capital, which rose by USD 388.9 million, three times the level recorded a year earlier. Overall, total overseas investment, including both new and adjusted capital, reached USD 1.21 billion, 2.5 times higher than the same period last year. Meanwhile, total registered foreign investment in Vietnam, including newly registered capital, adjusted registered capital, and capital contributions and share purchases by foreign investors, amounted to USD 34.65 billion in June, up 61.0% from a year ago.

South Africa recorded foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of ZAR 20.3 billion in Q1 2026, down from ZAR 41.3 billion in the previous quarter, central bank data showed. This was largely driven by non-resident parent entities granting loans to domestic subsidiaries, complemented by a smaller increase in equity investment in those subsidiaries. Portfolio investment inflows increased to ZAR 9 billion from ZAR 2.8 billion in Q4 2025. Non-residents bought equity securities worth ZAR 14.1 billion, after selling ZAR 10.1 billion in the previous quarter, while selling debt securities worth ZAR 5.1 billion, versus net purchases of ZAR 12.9 billion previously. Other investment liabilities surged to an inflow of ZAR 53.5 billion, from ZAR 8.0 billion, reflecting higher short-term lending and increased deposits with domestic private banks.

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Philippines rose by 26.1% year-on-year to USD 611 million in March. The increase was driven by a 62.1% jump in net equity capital investments other than reinvestment of earnings, alongside a 26% rise in reinvested earnings and a 14.6% gain in net investments in debt instruments. Equity capital placements were largely sourced from Japan, the United States, and Singapore and were mainly directed toward the manufacturing, financial and insurance, and real estate sectors. Despite the annual gain, inflows were 4.2% lower than February’s USD 638 million. For the first quarter, net FDI inflows fell by 17% to USD 1.72 billion, as declines in debt instruments (-22.7%) and reinvested earnings (-17.9%) outweighed a 13.1% increase in equity capital investments. During the period, equity capital placements continued to be dominated by Japan, the US, and Singapore.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursed in Vietnam rose 9.6% year-on-year to USD 9.75 billion in January–May 2026, marking the highest level of FDI implemented in the first five months of the year in at least 18 years. Vietnam recorded 85 newly licensed overseas investment projects totaling USD 760.8 million, 2.8 times higher than a year earlier. In addition, there were 10 projects with adjusted capital, which increased by USD 33.8 million, down 18.7% year-on-year. Overall, total overseas investment, including both new and adjusted capital, reached USD 794.6 million, 2.5 times higher than the same period last year. Meanwhile, total registered foreign investment in Vietnam, including newly registered capital, adjusted registered capital, and capital contributions and share purchases by foreign investors, reached USD 24.81 billion, up 34.9% year-on-year.

Brazil recorded foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of $8.91 billion in April 2026, up from $5.4 billion a year earlier and well above market expectations of $5.3 billion, marking the highest level since November last year. Equity inflows totaled $6.8 billion, including $3.2 billion in non-reinvested equity and $3.7 billion in reinvested earnings, while intercompany lending added $2.1 billion. Portfolio investment recorded net inflows of $0.6 billion in April 2026, with equity and fund investments contributing $1.1 billion, partly offset by outflows in debt securities.

Malaysia’s foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows eased to MYR 22.81 billion in Q1 2026 from a record MYR 26.64 billion in Q4, though inflows remained relatively solid despite ongoing external uncertainty. The decline mainly reflected softer capital inflows through debt instruments, particularly loans received from abroad, although this component continued to account for the largest share of total FDI. Equity and investment fund shares also contributed to inflows. By sector, the services industry attracted the bulk of foreign investments, led by the information and communication subsector, as demand for digital infrastructure and technology-related activities stayed firm. Mining and quarrying, alongside construction, were the next largest recipients of foreign capital. In terms of source economies, Singapore remained the leading investor, followed by China and Hong Kong.

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Philippines declined by 31% year-on-year to USD 0.6 billion in February 2026. The drop was mainly due to a sharp fall in debt instruments (-39.1%), which more than offset increases in equity and investment fund shares (0.6%) and reinvestment of earnings (12.0%). The US was the leading source of FDIs, while corporations engaged in financial and insurance activities received the largest share of inflows during the month. For the January-February period, net FDI inflows totaled USD 1.0 billion, down 34.8% from USD 1.6 billion recorded in the same period a year earlier. During this period, equity capital placements mainly came from Japan, the US, and Singapore, and were largely channeled into the manufacturing, financial and insurance, and real estate sectors.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursed in Vietnam grew 9.8% year-on-year to USD 7.40 billion in January–April 2026, marking the highest amount of FDI implemented in the first four months of the year in the past five years. The processing and manufacturing industry reached USD 6.12 billion, accounting for 82.7% of total FDI implemented, followed by real estate activities at USD 540.5 million (7.3%), and electricity, gas, hot water, steam, and air conditioning production and distribution at USD 270.6 million (3.7%). Newly registered FDI reached USD 12.15 billion across 1,249 projects, up 3.7% in the number of projects and 2.2 times in registered capital compared to the same period last year. Manufacturing led with 66.8% of new capital, followed by utilities (19.0%) and other sectors (14.2%). By country, Singapore led with USD 6.05 billion (49.8% of the total newly registered capital), followed by South Korea (33.6%) and China (4.3%).