MALAYSIA continues to see an increasing number of new female investors in the stock market, representing 36% of new central depository system (CDS) accounts opened in the year-to-date, according to Bursa Malaysia Bhd chief executive officer Muhamad Umar Swift.

He said in 2020, 32% of the CDS accounts were held by women, and the number rose to 34% last year.

He said female investors made up 30% of total trade value in 2021, and women’s total trade volume surged 194% between 2018 and 2021.

“Women have become more actively involved in their investing,” he said at the annual Ring the Bell for #EqualityforEquity Campaign in conjunction with International Women’s Day 2022, today.

Umar said various studies showed that portfolios managed by women tend to outperform those of their male counterparts.

“In 2021, a study by Fidelity Investment showed female investors achieved positive returns and surpassed men by 0.4% on average in terms of annual performance between January 2011 and December 2020,” he said.

However, he reckons that there is still room to grow and much needs to be done to further encourage the participation of women.

Hence, Umar said Bursa Malaysia’s #MyFirstTrade campaign will run until March 31 exclusively for women with a positive story to share.

During the period, Bursa Malaysia and participating brokers will waive respective portions of the opening fee for the first 4,000 CDS accounts opened by women.

“Bursa Malaysia provides a fair and open platform where everyone, male or female, can participate in the capital market and corporate space.

“We have implemented rules for more female representation on the board of directors and we will continue with our efforts to reduce the gender inequality in the workplace,” he said. – Bernama, March 8, 2022.