24.10.202504:13:48UTC+00Malaysia Leading Index Drops 0.8% in August

In August 2025, Malaysia's leading economic index saw a month-on-month decline of 0.8%, offsetting a previously upward revised increase of 0.8% in July. Out of its seven measured components, three experienced downturns: real imports of semiconductors dropped by 0.7% compared to a 0.3% rise in July, new company registrations fell by 0.5% from a 0.3% increase, and the real money supply decreased by 0.1% after a 0.2% rise. Conversely, some areas showed growth, such as basic precious and non-ferrous metals, which edged up by 0.1% following a 0.5% increase, and housing unit approvals which also rose by 0.1% against a prior 0.3%. Additionally, manufacturing sales value rebounded with a 0.2% rise from a previous 0.6% decline, alongside the Bursa Malaysia Industrial Index that grew by 0.1% after a 0.2% fall. On an annual comparison, the leading index diminished by 0.5%, building on a 0.3% decrease reported in July after adjustments. At the same time, the coincident index, indicative of present economic activity, declined by 0.6% in August, mainly due to a slowdown in components such as manufacturing capacity utilization, which dipped by 0.3%.