Malaysia Leading Index Steady at 0.3% in July

Malaysia's leading economic index rose 0.3% month-on-month in July 2026, unchanged from June's upwardly revised figure. The increase in the leading economic index was boosted by a further rise in real imports of other basic precious and non-ferrous metals (0.1% vs 0.9% in June), the number of housing units approved (0.04% vs 0.5%), real imports of semiconductors (0.1% vs 0.2%), a rebound in real money supply M1 (0.1% vs -0.1%), and expected sales value in manufacturing (0.1% vs -0.4%). On an annual basis, the leading index increased 1.1%, easing from an upwardly revised 1.5% in June. Meanwhile, the coincident index, a gauge of current economic conditions, edged down 0.1% month-on-month, reversing a 0.3% gain in June.

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.