June industrial output tad higher than expected

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's industrial output rose 4% in June, which was above economists's forecast of a 3% growth, mainly underpinned by the manufacturing sector's electrical and electronics (E&E) segment.

The Statistics Department said on Thursday the increase was supported by positive growth in all sectors, with manufacturing recording a 4.7% growth, mining (2.4%) and electricity (2.1%). 

“Year-on-year basis, manufacturing sector output increased by 4.7% in June 2017 after registering a strong growth of 7.3% in May 2017.

 The major sub-sectors which recorded an expansion in June were the E&E products (8.3%); food, beverages and tobacco (6.7%); and petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products (2.8%). 

The mining sector recorded a 2.4% increase in output in June, which was turnaround from the decline of 2.3% in May. Underpinning the rebound were a 0.7% increase in the index for crude oil and 4.4% in the index for natural gas.
 
The electricity output increased by 2.1% in June, but slower than the 2.5% rise in May.