Malaysian investors positive about local economy

KUALA LUMPUR: Many Malaysian investors are positive about the local economy and expect Asia to offer the best investment returns next year, according to a Franklin Templeton global poll.

Of the 1,000 Malaysian respondents polled, 44 per cent believed the local economy has improved while a smaller 24 per cent believed it has worsened, according to the 2012 Global Investor Sentiment Survey conducted by Franklin Templeton, a global investment management organisation.

Optimism is particularly pronounced among the younger generation, with 49 per cent in the 18 to 34 year-old segment citing improved or significantly improved perceptions of the local economy over the last year.

There is also growing interest among Malaysians to invest more in areas outside the local market.

Country Head of Franklin Templeton Asset Management Malaysia, Sandeep Singh, said the survey also found that the investors were not affected by the situation in Greece and the euro-zone debt crisis for the past three months as they had a longer term view of their investments.

Source: MOLE