Do you want to get access to American equities from Malaysia? It’s not as hard as you may think, and a growing wave of investors are taking part to get in on the expanding US market. You may easily buy shares in big tech businesses like Apple and Microsoft or smaller companies that are still growing.
First things first, you’ll need to get yourself a trading account. Tradu
But not just any account; you need a foreign trading account that allows international market trading. Malaysians can open accounts on a lot of different platforms, such as TD Ameritrade. These brokers simplify the process for you to buy and sell US equities and manage your portfolio. But first, check if the broker accepts Malaysians. Before you start filling out papers, verify that the platform you want to use doesn’t block access for overseas investors, including additional verification.
You will need to fund your account after it is set up. Most brokers allow foreign transfers, however some may have specific conditions for Malaysians. You may usually add money via bank transfers or even payment systems like PayPal. Keep in mind that you’ll need to exchange your MYR into US Dollars in order to trade. So, keep an eye on the currency rate to minimize costs.
Now comes the fun part: buying the stocks! You can search for American businesses after you fund your broker account. The procedure is the same whether you choose well-established companies or take a chance on smaller, growth-oriented enterprises. Find the stock’s unique trading code, decide how many you want, and place the trade. It’s just like e-commerce. You can choose from different trade types based on your strategy, like current-price trades or limit orders.
But here’s the thing: US stocks can swing quickly. Stay alert, because what is popular at the moment could not be hot tomorrow. Thankfully, brokers offer resources and data to support your decisions. Some platforms even let you set alerts for news or price changes that could impact your holdings.
Lastly, don’t forget about taxes. You are exempt from capital gains taxes on your foreign stock profits in Malaysia. The US government will still get a piece, though: a fixed rate cut on dividends. To get the reduced rate of 15% that the US-Malaysia tax treaty allows, you will need to provide a treaty claim form with your broker.
It may seem confusing in the beginning, but once you get the hang of it, buying US stocks from Malaysia will be pretty simple. Plus, you can’t go wrong because you have access to the massive and varied US stock market. So, why not? Start right away and look into all the chances that are waiting for you. Happy trading!