News

Malaysia Trade Surplus Widens in November
Malaysia’s trade surplus increased to MYR 16.8 billion in November 2020 from MYR 6.6 billion in the same month a year ago, and above market expectations of MYR 12.7 billion as exports rose while imports plunged, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Exports were up 4.3 percent, led by higher sales of manufactured goods and agricultural goods. Imports tumbled 9.0 percent as purchases of both intermediate and capital goods slumped. Also, imports of consumption goods fell. Considering the first eleven months of 2020, the trade surplus was MYR 163.8 billion, as exports were down 2.6 percent from a year earlier to MYR 885.0 billion, while imports contracted 7.0 percent to MYR 721.2 billion.
Published on 2020-12-28

Malaysia Trade Surplus Larger than Expected
Malaysia’s trade surplus increased to MYR 22.1 billion in October 2020 from MYR 17.3 billion in the same month a year ago, and above market expectations of MYR 20.4 billion, amid the coronavirus pandemic. This was the largest trade surplus since July, as exports rose while imports fell. Exports were up 0.2 percent, led by higher sales of manufactured goods and agricultural goods. Imports declined 6.0 percent as purchases of both intermediate and capital goods dropped. Considering the first ten months of 2020, the trade surplus was MYR 147.1 billion, as exports were down 3.3 percent from a year earlier to MYR 800.6 billion, while imports decreased 6.8 percent to MYR 653.5 billion.
Published on 2020-11-27

Malaysia Trade Surplus Second Largest on Record
Malaysia’s trade surplus increased sharply to MYR 22 billion in September 2020 from MYR 8.3 billion in the same month a year ago, and far above market expectations of MYR 13.9 billion, amid the coronavirus pandemic. This was the second largest trade surplus on record, as exports jumped while imports declined. Exports surged 13.6 percent, led by higher sales of manufactured goods and agricultural goods. Imports declined 3.6 percent as purchases of both intermediate and capital goods fell. Considering the first nine months of 2020, the trade surplus was MYR 125 billion, as exports were down 3.7 percent from a year earlier to MYR 709.6 billion, while imports fell 6.9 percent to MYR 584.6 billion.
Published on 2020-10-28

Malaysia Trade Surplus Smaller than Expected
Malaysia’s trade surplus increased to MYR 13.2 billion in August 2020 from MYR 10.9 billion in the same month a year ago, but below market expectations of MYR 17.9 billion, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Exports dropped 2.9 percent, led by lower sales of mining sectors, agriculture and manufactured goods. Imports declined at a faster 6.5 percent as purchases of both intermediate and capital goods fell. Considering the first eight months of 2020, the trade surplus was MYR 102.9 billion, as exports were down 5.8 percent from a year earlier to MYR 620.6 billion, while imports fell 7.3 percent to MYR 517.7 billion
Published on 2020-09-28

Malaysia Trade Surplus Hits Fresh Record High
Malaysia’s trade surplus surged to MYR 25.2 billion in July 2020 from MYR 14.3 billion in the same month a year ago, and beating market expectations of MYR 15.9 billion. It was the largest trade surplus since the series began in 1970, as exports rose while imports fell, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Exports increased 3.1 percent, led by higher sales of manufactured and agriculture goods. Imports declined as purchases of intermediate and capital goods fell.
Published on 2020-08-28

Malaysia Trade Surplus Largest on Record
Malaysia’s trade surplus jumped to MYR 20.9 billion in June 2020 from MYR 10.5 billion in the same month a year ago, and beating market expectations of MYR 12.1 billion. It was the largest trade surplus on record since the series began in 1970, as exports surged while imports fell, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Exports surged 8.8 percent, led by higher sales of manufactured and agriculture goods. Imports declined as purchases of intermediate goods fell.
Published on 2020-07-28

Malaysia Trade Surplus Widens in May
Malaysia’s trade surplus increased to MYR 10.4 billion in May 2020 from MYR 9.1 billion in the same month a year ago, as exports fell less than imports, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Exports tumbled 25.5 percent, the most in 11 years led by lower sales of manufactured goods, mining goods and agriculture goods. Imports declined at a faster pace as purchases of intermediate, consumption, and capital goods dropped.
Published on 2020-06-29

Malaysia Posts Trade Gap for 1st Time Since 1997
Malaysia posted a trade deficit of MYR 3.5 billion in April 2020, compared with a MYR 10.8 billion surplus in the same month a year ago and market expectations of a MYR 11.1 billion surplus. This was the country's first trade deficit since the Asian financial crisis of 1997, due to the negative impact the coronavirus pandemic. Exports tumbled the most in a decade led by lower sales of electrical and electronic products, palm oil & palm oil-based products and refined petroleum products. Imports declined at a softer pace as purchases of intermediate and consumption goods fell, while capital goods imports rose.
Published on 2020-06-04

Malaysia Trade Surplus Narrows in March
Malaysia's trade surplus declined to MYR 12.3 billion in March 2020 from MYR 14.4 billion a year ago and slightly beating market estimates of MYR 12.2 billion. Exports dropped 4.7% year-on-year to MYR 80.1 billion, better than an expected 6% fall, as sales decreased for liquefied natural gas (-13.4%); timber & timber-based products (-15.6%); electrical and electronics (E&E) products (-13.9%); crude petroleum (-4.2%); natural rubber (-9.7%),and palm oil & palm oil-based products (-0.9%). By contrast, sales increased for refined petroleum products (44.3%). Among major trading partners, shipments fell to China (-6.1%), the US (-3.6%). Imports fell at a softer 2.7% to MYR 67.8 billion, better than market estimates of a 5.1 percent drop, amid lower acquisitions of capital goods (47.5%). Among major trade partners, purchases went down from the US (-5.3%); Singapore (-24.6%).
Published on 2020-05-04

Malaysia Trade Surplus Largest in 4 Months
Malaysia's trade surplus widened to MYR 12.6 billion in February 2020 from MYR 11.1 billion a year ago and beating market estimates of MYR 10.8 billion. It was the largest trade surplus since last October. Exports surged 11.8% year-on-year to MYR 74.5 billion, better than an expected 5% rise, as sales increased for liquefied natural gas (7.1%); timber & timber-based products (41.8%); palm oil & palm oil-based products (14.7%); refined petroleum products (21.7%), and natural rubber (33.2%). By contrast, sales decreased mostly for electrical and electronics (E&E) products (-2.7%); crude petroleum (-11.7%). Among major trading partners, shipments rose to China (11.0%), the US (25.5%). Imports jumped 11.3% to MYR 61.8 billion, better than market estimates of a 2.7 percent gain, amid higher acquisitions of intermediate goods (20.4%) and consumption goods (10.1%). Among major trade partners, purchases increased from China (6.5%), the US (20.4%).
Published on 2020-04-03

Malaysia Posts Widest Trade Surplus for January since 2010
Malaysia's trade surplus widened to MYR 12 billion in January 2020 from MYR 11.5 billion a year ago and matching market estimates. It was the largest trade surplus for a January month since 2010. Exports fell 1.5 percent year-on-year to MYR 84.1 billion, better than an expected 1.6 percent fall, as sales decreased for electrical and electronics (E&E) products (-5.5%); liquefied natural gas (-22.8%); crude petroleum (-10.9%); timber & timber-based products (-5.9%) and natural rubber (-0.5%). By contrast, sales increased mostly for palm oil & palm oil-based products (1.2%) and refined petroleum products (62%). Among major trading partners, shipments tumbled to China (-5.7%) while surged to the US (9.5 percent). Imports went down 2.4 percent to MYR 72.1 billion, worse than market estimates of a 1.8 percent fall, amid lower acquisitions of capital goods (-15%) and consumption goods (-1%). Among major trade partners, purchases dropped from China (-10.6%) and Singapore (-0.9%).
Published on 2020-03-04

Malaysia December Trade Surplus Beats Estimates
Malaysia's trade surplus widened to MYR 12.6 billion in December 2019 from MYR 11 billion in the same month of 2018 and beating market estimates of MYR 9.1 billion. Exports unexpectedly rose 2.7 percent year-on-year to MYR 86.4 billion, against market consensus of a 1 percent fall, as sales increased mostly for timber and timber-based products (9.8%); palm oil & palm oil-based products (20.9%); refined petroleum products (35.2%) and natural rubber (8.1%). Among major trading partners, sales advanced to China (17.8%) and the US (15.1 percent). Imports went up 0.9 percent to MYR 73.8 billion, below market expectations of a 1.7 percent rise, on higher purchases of consumption goods (3.2%) and intermediate goods (6.0%). Among major trade partners, purchases went up from China (3.1%). Considering 2019 as a whole, the trade surplus widened 11% to MYR 137.4 billion, the largest since 2009, from MYR 123.8 billion in 2018, with imports and exports shrinking 3.4% and 1.7%, respectively.
Published on 2020-02-04

Malaysia Posts Smallest Trade Surplus in 15 Months
Malaysia's trade surplus shrank to MYR 6.5 billion in November 2019 from MYR 8.5 billion in the same month of 2018 and against market estimates of MYR 10.8 billion. This was the smallest trade surplus since August 2018, as exports fell more than imports. Exports dropped by 5.5 percent year-on-year to MYR 80.8 billion, worse than market consensus of a 4.4 percent fall, as sales fell mostly for electrical & electronic products (-11.6%); palm oil & palm oil-based products (-2.6%); refined petroleum products (-19%) and crude oil (-23.4%). Among major trading partners, sales dropped to Singapore (-12.5%), due to electrical & electronic products (-23.4%). Imports fell by 3.6 percent year-on-year to MYR 74.3 billion, below market expectations of a 5 percent decline, on lower purchases of capital goods (-4.3%) while those of intermediate goods (1.8%) and consumption goods (1.9%) rose. Among major trade partners, purchases fell from Singapore (-9.1%), mainly due to refined petroleum (-21.2%).
Published on 2020-01-03

Malaysia Trade Surplus Hits Record High
Malaysia's trade surplus widened to MYR 17.3 billion in October 2019 from MYR 16.9 billion in the same month of the prior year and far above market expectations of MYR 10.6 billion. This was the largest trade surplus since the series began in 1970, as exports fell less than imports.
Published on 2019-12-04

Malaysia Posts Smallest Trade Surplus in 13 Months
Malaysia's trade surplus declined sharply to MYR 8.30 billion in September of 2019 from MYR 15.6 billion in the same month of the prior year and far below market expectations of a MYR 14.4 billion surplus. This was the smallest trade surplus since August last year, as exports fell while imports rose
Published on 2019-11-04

Malaysia Trade Surplus Widens Sharply
Malaysia's trade surplus increased sharply to MYR 10.9 billion in August of 2019 from MYR 1.4 billion in the same month of the prior year and beating market expectations of a MYR 10.4 billion surplus, as exports fell less than imports. Exports declined 0.8 percent year-on-year to MYR 81.4 billion, missing market consensus of a 2.5 percent gain, mainly due to sales of electrical & electronic products, crude petroleum, and liquefied natural gas. Meantime, imports tumbled 12.5 percent to MYR 70.4 billion, compared with forecasts of an 8 percent fall. This was the third straight month decrease in imports, dragged down by purchases of capital, intermediate, and consumption goods. Considering the first eight months of the year, the country's trade balance recorded a surplus of USD 92.5 billion.
Published on 2019-10-04

Malaysia Posts Largest Trade Surplus in 4 Months
Malaysia's trade surplus increased sharply to MYR 14.3 billion in July of 2019 from MYR 8.1 billion in the same month of the prior year and easily beating market expectations of a MYR 10.7 billion surplus. It was the largest trade surplus since March, as exports rose while imports fell. Exports increased 1.7 percent year-on-year to MYR 88.0 billion, well above market consensus of a 2.5 percent fall, mainly due to sales of electrical & electronic products, liquefied natural gas, and timber and timber products. Meantime, imports dropped 5.9 percent to MYR 73.7 billion, compared with forecasts of a 7 percent fall. This was the second straight month decrease in imports, dragged down by purchases of capital, intermediate, and consumption goods. Considering the first seven months of the year, the country's trade balance recorded a surplus of USD 81.6 billion.
Published on 2019-09-04

Malaysia Trade Surplus Widens in June
Malaysia's trade surplus increased sharply to MYR 10.3 billion in June of 2019 from MYR 6 billion in the same month of the prior year and beating market expectations of a MYR 8.4 billion surplus. Exports fell 3.1 percent year-on-year to MYR 76.2 billion, missing market consensus of a 1.8 percent rise. This was the first decline in exports since March, mainly due to sales of electrical & electronic products and timber and timber products. Meantime, imports dropped at a faster 9.2 percent to MYR 65.9 billion, missing forecasts of a 1.1 percent gain. This was the first decrease in imports in three months, dragged down by purchases of capital, intermediate, and consumption goods. Considering the first half of the year, the country's trade balance recorded a surplus of USD 67.2 billion, compared with a surplus of USD 60.5 billion in the same period 2018.
Published on 2019-08-02

Malaysia Trade Surplus Beats Estimates in May
Malaysia's trade surplus increased to MYR 9.1 billion in May of 2019 from MYR 8.1 billion in the same month of the prior year and beating market expectations of a MYR 8.2 billion surplus. Exports went up 2.5 percent year-on-year to MYR 84.1 billion, below market consensus of a 3.6 percent rise, mainly due to sales of palm oil & palm oil-based products and electrical & electronic products. Meantime, imports rose at a softer 1.4 percent to MYR 75.1 billion, lower than forecasts of a 2.6 percent gain, driven by purchases of intermediate and consumption goods increased. Considering the first five months of the year, the country's trade balance recorded a surplus of USD 56.9 billion, compared with a surplus of USD 54.5 billion in the same period 2018.
Published on 2019-07-04

Malaysia Trade Surplus Smallest in 4 Months
Malaysia's trade surplus decreased to MYR 10.9 billion in April of 2019 from MYR 13 billion in the same month of the prior year and below market expectations of a MYR 12.6 billion surplus. This was the smallest trade gap since December last year, as exports rose less than imports. Exports went up 1.1 percent to MYR 85.2 billion, missing market consensus of a 1 percent drop, mainly due to sales of electrical and electronic products and refined petroleum. Meantime, imports rose at a faster 4.4 percent to MYR 74.3 billion, missing market estimates of a 0.2 percent fall, as purchases of intermediate, consumption, and capital goods increased. Considering the first four months of the year, the trade balance recorded a surplus of USD 47.8 billion, compared with a surplus of USD 46.4 billion in the same period of 2018.
Published on 2019-06-03