Malaysia's Leading Index Eases 0.2 Pct In June 2025 - DOSM

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s Leading Index (LI) annual growth rate saw a marginal 0.2 per cent decline in June 2025, at 113.4 points compared with 113.6  points  a year ago, according to the Statistics Department Malaysia (DOSM).  

The LI provides an early indication of turning  points in the business cycle and the near-term direction of the economy.

Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the decline reflected weaknesses in four out of seven components, with the most notable drop -27.4 per cent fall in the real Imports of other basic precious and other non-ferrous metals.

“On a month-on-month  basis, the LI also declined by 0.5 per cent, affected by decreases in the real imports of other basic precious and other non-ferrous metals (-1.0 per cent) and the real imports of semi conductors (-0.5 per cent),” he said in a statement today.

DOSM said the smoothed growth rate of the LI for June 2025 remained below 100.0 points, and this is anticipated to indicate easing economic momentum.

“The outlook is supported by a strong domestic foundation but weighed down by external challenges,” said DOSM.

Meanwhile, it said the coincident index (CI), which reflects current economic performance, grew by 1.7  per cent to 128.2 points in June 2025 versus 126.1 points a year ago.

“This increase was driven by improvements across all components, with the real Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) contribution value recording the highest rise of 6.1 per cent.

“On a monthly basis, the CI rose 0.4 per cent, aided by the Industrial Production Index  (IPI), which  advanced by 0.3 per cent,” it added.

-- BERNAMA