Malaysia's manufacturing PMI slightly higher at 48.8 in May 2025 - S&P Global
KUALA LUMPUR: The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Malaysia manufacturing purchasing manager's index (PMI) inched up to 48.8 in May, compared to 48.6 in April, signalling a sustained, though softer moderation in operating conditions.
S&P Global Market Intelligence economist Usamah Bhatti said PMI data for May revealed that business conditions in the Malaysian manufacturing sector were muted as production levels were scaled back due to subdued new orders.
"That said, the rates of reduction in both measures eased to three-month lows and were only marginal overall.
"As such, the data indicated that gross domestic product (GDP) growth is likely to have sustained at a similar pace as seen in the opening quarter of the year,' he said in a statement today.
He noted that manufacturing firms also reported a gradual increase in cost burdens, with average input costs rising at the sharpest rate in six months.
Citing the survey evidence, he said the impact of unfavourable currency movements and US tariffs on raw material prices had pushed expenses higher, especially from abroad.
"Sentiment stayed positive meanwhile, with firms expecting higher output in the coming year.
"The degree of confidence receded from April to the lowest since mid-2021 amid concern regarding US trade policy and a lack of suitable workers, he said.
Meanwhile, S&P Global also said Malaysian manufacturers reported that employment levels were unchanged midway through the second quarter, thereby ending a seven-month sequence of job shedding.
Hence, it said the muted new order inflows enabled firms to continue working through outstanding business, and the level of backlogs was marginally lower in the latest survey month. - Bernama
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar shares royal compliment on Malaysia's medical expertise
PETALING JAYA: Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah praised the quality and expertise of doctors at the National Heart Institute (IJN) after receiving treatment there. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim conveyed this during the Higher Education Ministry's Ilmuan Malaysia Madani forum titled "Transport for the People: Balancing Affordability, Quality and Sustainability of Public Transport." "His Majesty told me that, as someone with exposure to and experience with some of the world's best medical centres, he was very satisfied with the quality of service, excellence, and expertise of our doctors at IJN," he said. Anwar added that while the government welcomes criticism, Malaysians should also recognise national achievements, especially in healthcare. "So while we allow criticism, which is not a problem, we must also recognise the strengths we have, and there must be the drive to push ourselves to do better," he said. The Sultan of Brunei was in Kuala Lumpur for the 46th Asean Summit with other regional leaders. On May 27, he was reportedly feeling fatigued and was advised by health experts to rest at IJN. Anwar also spoke about his conversation with President of Guinea-Bissau General Umaro Sissoco Embaló, during which he asked why Malaysia was chosen despite limited bilateral trade. "His answer was that he follows developments here and sees Malaysia as a country on the rise, with significant potential. That's why he chose to come," he said. Embaló arrived today for a three-day visit—his first since taking office as president in February 2020. Malaysia and Guinea-Bissau established diplomatic relations in November 1974. In 2024, Malaysia's total trade with Guinea-Bissau reached RM4.1 million, with Malaysian exports amounting to RM4.04 million and imports standing at RM0.06 million.
Barnama
8 hours ago
- Barnama
CPO Futures Likely To Trade Sideways Next Week Amid Limited Market Catalysts, Shorter Week
By Siti Noor Afera Abu KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- The crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives is expected to move sideways next week due to limited market catalysts and a shorter trading week. Palm oil trader David Ng said the lack of fresh trading cues will likely keep the market range-bound in the near term. 'We expect the commodity to trade between RM3,750 and RM3,950 per tonne,' he said. Cargo surveyors expect exports of Malaysian palm oil products during May 1-25 to rise between 7.3 per cent and 11.6 per cent, compared with the same period a month ago. Meanwhile, Fastmarkets Palm Oil Analytics senior analyst Dr Sathia Varqa said market participants will be keenly watching for May supply and demand estimates from newswire polling and the full month production data from the Malaysian Palm Oil Association, including data from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), due on June 10. On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the spot-month June 2025 contract rose RM64 to RM3,888 per tonne, July 2025 was RM55 higher at RM3,891 per tonne, and August 2025 added RM51 to RM3,878. The September 2025 note rose RM49 to RM3,870 per tonne, October 2025 edged up RM46 to RM3,870, and November 2025 gained RM43 to RM3,874. The weekly trading volume was down to 281,987 lots from 331,960 the previous week, while open interest narrowed to 241,994 contracts from 244,075.
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Malaysian actor Zhang Yaodong spotted manning steamed seafood stall in Singapore
In a Xiaohongshu post, the user said the stall belongs to Zhang Yaodong and he was working that day because his employee had resigned. Photos: Xiaohongshu Singapore-based Malaysian actor Zhang Yaodong was spotted manning a steamed seafood stall at coffee shop 9007 Kopitiam in the Tampines industrial area on June 4. Clad in a plain white tee, the 47-year-old was standing in front of the cash register and appeared to be taking orders from customers. The Xiaohongshu user who posted about the sighting on June 4 said the stall belongs to Zhang and he was working that day because his employee had resigned. Amid the hustle and bustle, the user noted that the former Mediacorp artiste was polite, and affirmed Zhang in her post by saying that there is nothing better than correcting one's behaviour after making a mistake. The bachelor's image took a hit in July 2024 when rumours surfaced about him fathering children out of wedlock with women of different nationalities. The allegations resulted in him filing a police report, with his manager adding that he will not be addressing the issue again. But in November 2024, Zhang took to Instagram to commemorate his holiday to South Korea with his two daughters, confirming his father status for the first time. In February, Mediacorp's talent management agency The Celebrity Agency stated it was no longer representing him and that he has not participated in the filming of any new shows. Zhang, whose parents used to be hawkers, reportedly used to run a catering business and opened a roast meat stall in a foodcourt. He also ventured into Taiwanese cuisine, selling beef noodles in his home town of Kuala Lumpur. In 2017, he opened an Asian fusion restaurant, Maru, in Tanjong Pagar, but it has since closed. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
