Bond Market Updates

Summary The advance gross domestic product (GDP) estimate for Malaysia was positive, pointing to the economy’s better-than-expected performance in 2Q2024. The services sector continued to be robust on the back of sustained growth in private consumption, while previously laggard sectors such as agriculture improved. We have revised our 2024 GDP forecast upwards to 4.8% from […]

Summary Recent economic data for Malaysia has been positive, pointing to a firm start for the economy in 2Q2024. Wholesale & retail trade was resilient, with growth accelerating to 7.5% in April (1Q2024: 2.3%), consistent with the higher domestic-oriented production growth for the month. On the external sector, Malaysia’s exports posted strong growth of 7.3%

Summary Malaysia’s 1Q2024 gross domestic product (GDP) expanded to 4.2%, higher than the advanced estimate of 3.9% (4Q2023: 3.0%) on the faster expansion in the services sectors at 4.7% (advanced estimate: 4.4%, 4Q2023: 4.1%). The manufacturing sector registered a 1.9% rebound after two quarters of contraction, while growth in the construction sector accelerated to 11.9%

Summary Malaysia’s economy picked up by 3.9% in 1Q2024 (4Q2023: 3.0%) based on the advanced estimate, close to the official 2024 full-year gross domestic product (GDP) forecast of 4%-5%. The manufacturing sector registered a 1.9% rebound after two quarters of contraction, while growth in the construction sector accelerated to 9.8% (4Q2023: 3.5%). The Malaysian Government

Summary Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) projects the domestic economy to grow between 4% and 5% in 2024, aligning with the government’s estimate while highlighting a potential rebound in the manufacturing sector and a newly forecast contraction in the agricultural sector. Year-to-date exports grew by 3.9% in February, with an 11.0% increase in exports to the

Summary Malaysia registered a weaker-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 3.0% in 4Q2023 (advanced estimate: 3.4%; 3Q2023: 3.3%) as growth in the services sector moderated while that in the manufacturing sector remained tepid, bringing the full-year GDP growth to 3.7%. We forecast a firmer growth of 4.2% in 2024 on an anticipated recovery in

Summary Malaysia posted a weaker-than-expected advanced gross domestic product (GDP) estimate of 3.4% as at 4Q2023 (Consensus: 4.1%; 3Q2023: 3.3%) as the services sector moderated and the manufacturing sector remained flat, which will bring the advanced estimate full year GDP growth to 3.8%, based on the advanced estimate. A stronger rebound in tourism and recovery

Summary The latest economic data for Malaysia was rather mixed but largely within expectations. Domestic activities remained stable, as seen in the resilient wholesale & retail trade and stronger domestic-oriented production for October. While exports data remained subdued, petroleum and rubber products rebounded after consecutive months of double-digit decline. The Brent oil price experienced volatility

Summary Malaysia posted a firmer gross domestic product (GDP) print of 3.3% in 3Q2023 (2Q2023: 2.9%) in line with the advanced estimate, bolstered by private consumption which grew at a faster pace. The latest October trade data showed some nascent signs of recovery in the external sector, supported by an anticipated recovery in the Chinese

Summary Domestic consumption remained resilient, while the softer decline in exports together with better-than-expected economic performance and stable industrial production growth in China may indicate a potential rebound in Malaysia’s manufacturing sector. Despite a temporary pause in the dollar index’s rally against major currencies, the Ringgit ringgit continued its weakening trend in October. The local