KUALA LUMPUR — The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) recorded total investment income of RM57.50 billion for the first six months ended June 30, 2026 (1H 2026), marking a 48% increase from RM38.92 billion during the same period last year.
The retirement fund said the figure included unrealised mark-to-market gains and losses on securities, mainly due to foreign exchange rate movements. As with previous years, these unrealised gains and losses are not available for dividend distribution, Bernama reported.
For the second quarter ended June 30, 2026 (2Q 2026), EPF’s total investment income stood at RM29.77 billion, a 44% rise from RM20.61 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter a year earlier.
EPF attributed the stronger performance to higher returns from equities, with equity income rising 52 per cent to RM20.94 billion in 2Q 2026 from RM13.77 billion in 2Q 2025.
The fund said the increase was supported by a recovery in global equity markets, allowing its fund managers to capitalise on market gains and contribute to overall income growth.
“Investor sentiment also improved as concerns over energy prices eased, and confidence in the artificial intelligence investment supercycle remained strong,” it said, adding that equities contributed 70 per cent of total investment income for the quarter.
Fixed income investments generated RM6.91 billion, accounting for 23 per cent of total investment income in 2Q 2026. EPF said Malaysian government securities and equivalent assets, along with loans and bonds, continued to provide stable and resilient returns, acting as a defensive component during periods of market volatility.
“Real estate and infrastructure recorded an income of RM1.30 billion in 2Q 2026, while money market instruments generated RM620 million, in line with return expectations for these asset classes,” it added.
EPF said its total investment assets reached RM1.54 trillion in 2Q 2026, with 39 per cent allocated to global investments. International investments contributed RM19.29 billion, representing 65 per cent of total investment income during the quarter.
The fund added that total investment income for conventional and shariah savings amounted to RM24.16 billion and RM5.61 billion respectively.
EPF chief executive officer Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn said the fund had benefited from favourable global equity market conditions while continuing to maintain a disciplined long-term investment strategy.
“Similar to the first quarter, we continued to front-load income during 2Q as market and geopolitical risks remain elevated.
“While equity markets have supported performance in 1H 2026, members should temper expectations as such market opportunities may not repeat themselves in 2H 2026. Our focus remains on delivering sustainable long-term returns, backed by a resilient portfolio,” he said. – August 17, 2026