It seems like seeing durian season from behind a glass window when you miss out on Tesla's crazy rides or Apple's steady rise. The buzz over US shares, juicy dividends, and Elon Musk tweets is giving Malaysians serious FOMO. But how do you get into that Wall Street action from Klang, Ipoh, or KK? Let’s pour the teh and get into it.
Step one: Look for a broker that permits Malaysians register accounts to buy equities in the US. can malaysians buy us stocks
Maybank and CIMB are options, but watch out for sky-high charges. Thankfully, we’re living in the digital age now. Online options like Tiger, IB, or TD are more affordable and beginner-friendly. Did you realize you could do everything from your phone? Betul.
Get your documents ready. Sadly, there is no way to avoid the paperwork. They'll want your IC, a bill, and possibly your income statement. Verification may take hours, or stretch into days. If it drags, relax—some brokers are just turtles.
Putting in ringgit? First problem: you can't trade in RM. You’ll need US dollars before shopping for Amazon or Apple. Fees are hidden, and they can eat away at your money, so always read the fine print. Services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) give better currency rates than banks. Give it a go—you might save more than you think.
Now comes the fun part: buying your first US stock. Want to feel fancy? Think of blue-chip stocks like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. Want to shoot for the moon? Penny stocks on NASDAQ look good, but they are really risky. Malaysians like to support well-known people because they are easier to recognize and don't get into trouble as often. You don't want to wake up to find out that a business has gone out of business overnight.
There are differences across trading systems. Some are slick, others look stuck in the Windows 95 era. Before you spend any money, try out the fake account. Get comfortable and picture yourself putting on new baju raya before you show it out.
Remember Uncle Sam? He wants his cut. The IRS doesn’t miss a thing. Tax on dividends is automatically taken off. Capital gains are usually tax-free in Malaysia, but do check with a tax pro.
Malaysians go nuts over US tickers—but stay smart. Research, join groups, follow gurus—but use your brain. Sometimes, the people who provide the worst advise are the ones who have been doing it the longest.
Lastly, remember—risk is everywhere, even in the US. Avoid dumping your cash on hype trains. Diversify, like your nasi campur plate. If you get stuck, ask your friends or go to Reddit. You’re not the first to face these issues.
It's not as hard as it used to be to buy US equities from Malaysia, but it's not as easy as biting into a rambutan either. Take it easy, check everything three times, and preserve your sense of humor. You’ll learn it quick. Enjoy the ride!