Ria Portfolio Performance – Feb 2026
February 2026 delivered mixed results across funds. ASN Equity Global advanced 3.5%, buoyed by resilient global equity markets, while ASN Equity Malaysia dipped 1.2%, reflecting softness in local equities. ASN Sukuk edged up 0.5%, demonstrating its defensive characteristics amid the uneven market environment.
Given these return profiles, more aggressive portfolios benefited the most, with the Very Aggressive and Aggressive portfolios delivering returns of +1.4% and +1.3%, respectively. The Very Conservative portfolio posted a modest gain of +0.5%, reflecting its lower equity exposure during the month.
Since Ria's launch in March 2024 through February 2026, long-term returns have favoured portfolios with higher equity exposure. The Aggressive and Very Aggressive portfolios emerged as the top performers, returning +18.1% and +18.0%, respectively. Nonetheless, conservative portfolios also posted solid gains, with the Very Conservative portfolio up +8.2% and the Moderately Conservative portfolio gaining +11.2%. Higher returns are accompanied by higher risks, as more aggressive portfolios experienced greater volatility over the investment period.
Chart 1: Ria Portfolios Since Inception (11 March 2024 – 28 February 2026) - Growth of RM10k
Market Commentary - February 2026
February 2026 delivered mixed results across global markets. US stocks faced headwinds, with the S&P 500 declining 2.11% in MYR terms, weighed down by a tech sector rout, as concerns grew that AI spending by hyperscalers would disrupt established software business models, and Nasdaq finishing February in the red amid growing fears about AI's impact on the economy. The MSCI World Index was broadly flat, slipping just 0.06% in MYR terms. European markets fared better, with the UK's UKX gaining 3.67%, France's CAC rising 3.69%, and Germany's DAX adding 1.17%.
Chart 2: Performance of Global Equity Markets for February 2026 (%)
Asian markets were the most dramatic story of February. Japan's Nikkei advanced 7.80% in MYR terms, standing out as one of the strongest performers globally. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 4.22%, giving back some of its earlier gains. Singapore's STI edged up 1.17%. Thailand's SET was the standout of the month, surging 16.23% driven by a combination of political clarity following elections, investor confidence in a stable new government, and broad-based foreign fund inflows. A surprise rate cut by the Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee, which reduced the policy rate from 1.25% to 1.00%, further boosted sentiment. Malaysia's FBMKLCI declined 1.35%, while Indonesia's JCI softened 2.63%.
Chart 3: Performance of Asian Equity Markets for February 2026 (%)
Commodities posted strong gains in February, though with notable volatility. Gold climbed 6.40% in MYR terms, supported by concerns over Fed independence, escalating geopolitical risks, and a prolonged US dollar depreciation that drove record inflows into gold ETFs. Silver outperformed, surging 16.42% — underpinned by a structural supply-demand imbalance, with industrial demand boosted by the expansion of solar panels, electric vehicles, and AI-linked digital infrastructure, while physical supply has been falling since 2016. Oil rose 3.14%, buoyed by ongoing supply concerns and brewing tension in Middle East. Bitcoin extended its losses sharply, dropping 22.79%. The crypto selloff was driven by multiple converging factors: a tech stock collapse that dragged risk assets lower, a structural reversal in institutional flows as Bitcoin ETFs turned net sellers, and a critical technical breakdown below key support levels.
Chart 4: Commodities Performance in February 2026 – Gold, Silver and Oil Rally while Bitcoin Falls (in MYR terms, %)
February 2026 underscored the value of diversification across both asset classes and geographies. The sharp divergence between US equities and markets in Europe, Japan, and Thailand highlighted how different drivers, including political clarity, rate cuts, and valuation gaps, can create compelling opportunities outside of the mainstream. Precious metals continued to reward patient investors, while Bitcoin's steep decline served as a reminder of the risks tied to high-volatility speculative assets. As we progress through 2026, staying disciplined and diversified remains the clearest path through an uneven global landscape.
RIA Reminder – Your 2026 Started Strong, Keep It Going
February 2026 was a volatile month. Some markets surged, others dropped sharply, and high-risk assets like cryptocurrency took a significant hit. Yet through all of it, Ria portfolios held up, because they were designed to do exactly that. Diversification is not just a buzzword. It is the reason your portfolio did not ride the full weight of any single market's decline, and why it was still positioned to benefit from the ones that performed. That balance is working for you, quietly, every month.
The easiest way to keep that compounding working in your favour is through Auto Labur. Set it once, and your portfolio keeps growing, through the volatile months and the calm ones alike.
Log in to Ria and see how your portfolio performed in February. Then ask yourself: is your Auto Labur amount where you want it to be? Small, consistent contributions made now are the ones you will thank yourself for later.