Malaysia Manufacturing PMI Ticks Higher In May - S&P Global

(RTTNews) - The manufacturing sector in Malaysia continued to contract in May, albeit at a slower pace, the latest survey from S&P Global revealed on Tuesday with a manufacturing PMI score of 48.8.

That's up from 48.6 in April, although it remains beneath the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction.

Production levels were subdued in the latest survey period, with the respective seasonally adjusted index remaining below the neutral 50.0 mark. Output has now been scaled back consistently for a year, though the latest moderation was the softest in three months. According to panelists, muted new order inflows were a key factor behind the decrease.

Total new orders were scaled back for the third month in a row during May, though the rate of reduction eased from that in April. Where new orders reduced, firms mentioned weak client confidence in both domestic and international markets.