Foreigners bought net $322.2M worth of Turkey stocks last week

Foreigners bought net $322.2M worth of Turkey stocks last week

Foreign Investors Continue Buying Turkish Equities Amid Economic Reforms
February 19, 2026

Foreign investors purchased a net $322.2 million worth of Turkish equities last week, extending their buying streak to a 10th consecutive week. This follows a $134.3 million net purchase in the prior week, signaling sustained confidence in Turkey's stock market despite macroeconomic challenges.

The trend aligns with broader efforts by Turkey's government to attract foreign capital. In 2023, foreign-owned firms in Turkey surpassed 10,000 for the first time, contributing 12.8% of the country's total business turnover, up from 9,287 in 2022. These companies also accounted for 5.1% of total employment in 2023, reflecting growing integration of foreign capital into the economy.

Sectoral dominance by foreign firms is notable in tobacco manufacturing (92.6% turnover share) and insurance and pension fund activities (43.2%). According to data, Germany remains the largest foreign investor, with 1,266 companies generating 13.8% of foreign-owned turnover, equivalent to $25.5 billion. The U.S. and U.K. followed, with 965 and 706 firms, respectively.

Recent geopolitical shifts have also influenced investment flows. Russian and Ukrainian companies in Turkey rose sharply after 2022, with Russian-controlled firms increasing from 83 in 2021 to 483 in 2023, capturing 3% of foreign-owned turnover. Ukrainian firms similarly grew from 32 to 91 during the same period.

Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek has emphasized structural reforms and fiscal discipline to stabilize the economy and attract investment, noting Turkey's goal to become a regional hub for foreign direct investment. Direct investment in Turkey has grown nearly twentyfold over the past 25 years, though challenges such as currency volatility and inflation remain.

The latest equity purchases suggest foreign investors are cautiously optimistic about Turkey's reform agenda and long-term market potential.