MONEY MASTER

Malaysia’s  Terms of Trade (ToT)  climbed  2.5% month-on-month  to 121.5 points in June 2025, driven by higher export prices and favorable movements in key product categories, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Key Drivers: Export Unit Value Index:  +2.1% Misc. manufactured articles: +0.8% Food: +0.3% Machinery & transport equipment: +0.2% Import Unit Value Index:  -0.4% Mineral fuels: -1.1% Chemicals: -0.5% Machinery & transport equipment: -0.2% On a year-on-year basis, the ToT rose  4.5% , up from 116.3 points in June 2024. Trade Volumes Drop Export Volume Index:  -5.9% MoM (seasonally adjusted: -12.0%) Manufactured goods: -19.3% Chemicals: -10.3% Misc. manufactured articles: -5.4% Import Volume Index:  -9.8% MoM (seasonally adjusted: -10.8%) Machinery & transport equipment: -16.4% Food: -13.1% Manufactured goods: -8.8% Despite the month-on-month decline, import volumes were  11.8% higher YoY , while...

Malaysia Engages in Last-Minute Trade Talks as 25% US Tariff Looms Malaysia is racing to resolve trade tensions with the United States after President Donald Trump signaled a potential 25% tariff on Malaysian exports—an escalation from the previously paused 24% rate imposed in April. While Washington appears open to further negotiations, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry confirmed that Malaysia remains committed to finding a mutually beneficial resolution. The goal: avoid steep new duties that could hurt the country’s export-driven economy. Efforts are underway to clarify the scope and potential economic damage from the proposed tariffs. “Malaysia is pursuing a fair and sustainable outcome for both nations,” the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Markets reacted quickly. Malaysia’s benchmark stock index slipped as much as 0.7% and technology stocks, particularly those exposed to US demand, came under pressure. The ringgit, however, remained steady. Minister Tengku Za...

Key Takeaway: Malaysia’s exports grew 1.6% in October , driven by electronics and palm oil, but trade growth slowed overall due to weak demand from Asean and China , the country’s largest trading partner. Malaysia's export performance rebounded slightly in October, reaching RM128.12 billion , a 1.6% year-on-year increase , according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (Miti). This follows a 0.6% contraction in September , but growth fell short of economists’ forecasts of 2.5% . Highlights: Electronics (+7.6%) and palm oil exports (+12%) supported growth, while petroleum shipments shrank 31% year-on-year . Exports to China fell 6.5% , but deliveries to the US (+33%) , EU (+7.7%) , and Taiwan (+49%) surged. Gross imports rose 2.6% to RM116.14 billion, driven by intermediate goods. However, imports of capital goods fell 2.7% due to reduced purchases of industrial transport equipment. The trade surplus narrowed 7.6% year-on-year to RM11.98 billion but marked the 5...