Malaysia Leading Economic Index Edges Up

Malaysia's leading economic index was almost unchanged, rising 0.02% month-on-month in June 2026, after a 0.5% fall in the previous month. The increase in the leading economic index was boosted by a recovery in real imports of other basic precious and non-ferrous metals (0.8% vs -0.7% in May) and an increase in the number of housing units approved (0.4% vs -0.2%). By contrast, decreases were seen in the number of companies registered (-0.6% vs -0.5%), real imports of semiconductors (-0.1% vs 0.3%), the Bursa Malaysia Industrial Index (-0.1% vs 0.1%), real money supply M1 (-0.1% vs 0.3%), and expected sales value in manufacturing (-0.3% vs 0.2%). On an annual basis, the leading index climbed 1.3%, accelerating from an upwardly revised 1.1% in May. Meanwhile, the coincident index, a gauge of current economic conditions, rose 0.3% month-on-month, rebounding from a 0.3% fall in May.

Malaysia's leading economic index dropped 0.5% month-on-month in May 2026, reversing a downwardly revised 1.1% rise in the previous month. It was the first monthly decline in the leading economic index in three months and the fastest since January, weighed down by drops in real imports of other basic precious and non-ferrous metals (-0.6% vs -0.3% in May), the number of housing units approved (-0.2% vs 0.1%), and the number of companies registered (-0.4% vs 0.9%). By contrast, increases were seen in real imports of semiconductors (0.2% vs 0.9% in April) and the Bursa Malaysia Industrial Index (0.1% vs 0.1%), while rebounds were seen in real money supply M1 (0.2% vs -0.3%) and expected sales value in manufacturing (0.2% vs -0.3%). On an annual basis, the leading index rose 0.3%, slowing from 1.3% in April. Meanwhile, the coincident index, a gauge of current economic conditions, fell 0.3% month-on-month, reversing a 0.9% gain in April.

Malaysia's leading economic index increased 1.25% month-on-month in April 2026, following a revised 0.04% rise in the previous month. It was the second consecutive monthly increase in the leading economic index and the fastest pace since last October, mainly supported by rebounds in real imports of semiconductors (0.9% vs -0.5% in March) and the number of companies registered (0.9% vs -0.1%). Increases were also seen in the Bursa Malaysia Industrial Index (0.1% vs 0.01%) and housing units (0.04% vs 0.2%). By contrast, sub-indices for real money supply M1 (-0.3% vs 0.2%) and real imports of other basic precious and non-ferrous metals (-0.1% vs 0.2%) declined. On an annual basis, the leading index rose 1.29%, accelerating from an upwardly revised 0.7% in March. Meanwhile, the coincident index, a gauge of current economic conditions, climbed 0.9% month-on-month, following a 0.8% gain in March.