Ria Portfolio Performance – June 2026

Ria portfolios delivered positive returns in June 2026, supported by the strong return of ASN Equity Global, which gained +3.9% during the month. In contrast, ASN Equity Malaysia declined -0.6%, while ASN Sukuk posted a stable return of +0.5%. As a result, portfolios with higher equity allocations outperformed more conservative portfolios.

The Very Aggressive portfolio recorded the highest monthly return of +1.9%, followed by the Aggressive portfolio (+1.7%) and Moderately Aggressive portfolio (+1.4%). The Moderate, Moderately Aggressive, and Very Conservative portfolios delivered returns of +1.1%, +0.9%, and +0.5% respectively.

On a year-to-date basis, all portfolios remained in positive territory, ranging from +1.1% for the Very Conservative portfolio to +16.7% for the Very Aggressive portfolio. Since Ria’s launch, cumulative returns ranged from +9.1% to +32.3% from the least risky to the highest risk portfolios. This continues to highlight the benefits of long-term investing across different risk profiles.

Market Commentary – June 2026

Summary: June 2026 was characterised by resilient global equity markets despite continued interest-rate uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. US equities remained among the strongest-performing major markets, supported by strong corporate earnings and sustained investor interest in AI-related businesses.

Global markets navigated a turbulent but ultimately resilient month. US equities continued to perform strongly, with the S&P 500 gaining +2.04% in MYR terms during June. The Nasdaq 100 rose +2.89% over the same period, supported by strong corporate earnings and continued momentum in AI-related technology companies. However, hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve delayed expected rate cuts, pushing elevated US Treasury yields higher. This supported a stronger US dollar and introduced volatility across broader asset classes.

A key theme during June was continued investor focus on artificial intelligence-related companies. While technology giants maintained aggressive AI investment plans, parts of the semiconductor sector experienced heightened volatility as investors reassessed valuations and infrastructure spending expectations. Despite this, earnings delivery among leading AI beneficiaries remained supportive of broader equity market performance.

Commodities experienced mixed performance as energy and metal prices recalibrated. Oil prices moderated slightly amid evolving US-Iran diplomatic discussions and shipping developments. Meanwhile, Asian equities, including MSCI Asia ex-Japan (+1.72% month-on-month), experienced increased volatility and profit-taking in the latter half of the month despite ending June in positive territory.

The Malaysian market (-0.85% month-on-month) demonstrated relative resilience throughout June, heavily supported by sustained domestic institutional buying, which helped cushion the impact of global market volatility. Despite weakening momentum leading into July, leading institutional desks maintain a bullish outlook for the second half of the year. The Malaysian ringgit fluctuated against the strengthening US dollar, hovering generally in the 4.00-4.15 range. Analysts cite robust domestic liquidity, an active investment cycle, and favourable banking sector fundamentals as continuing anchors for the market.

Key Market Developments in June 2026:

• Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's first FOMC reinforced a higher-for-longer policy stance.

• US equities remained supported by strong AI-related earnings and continued technology investment.

• Investors reassessed semiconductor valuations, leading to heightened volatility across parts of the AI supply chain.

• US-Iran tensions and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz contributed to energy market volatility.

• Gold rebounded above US$4,000/oz following softer US inflation data.

RIA Reminder – New Highs Don’t Mean It’s Time to Leave the Market

Seeing markets reach new highs can make investors uneasy. It is natural to wonder whether prices have risen “too much” and if a correction is just around the corner. However, history shows that new market highs are a normal feature of long-term investing. Healthy markets spend much of their time reaching new highs because companies continue to innovate, grow their earnings, and create value over time. Trying to predict when the next pullback will happen is often far more difficult than it seems.

While market valuations and economic conditions can influence future returns, they rarely provide a reliable signal for when to exit or re-enter the market. Missing just a few of the market’s strongest recovery days can have a significant impact on long-term investment outcomes. Rather than reacting to short-term market movements, successful investing is typically built on maintaining a disciplined investment strategy that aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

At Ria, your portfolio is designed to stay invested through different market cycles while remaining aligned to your selected risk profile. Rather than trying to predict the best time to invest, consider adopting a systematic investment approach through Auto Labur, which enables regular, automated investments at your preferred frequency (weekly or monthly). By investing consistently over time, you can stay focused on your long-term financial goals while reducing the influence of short-term market movements. Activate Auto Labur to make investing a habit, not a decision.