Malaysia’s Manufacturing PMI Eases To 49.5 In October – Kenanga

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s manufacturing sector saw a marginal slowdown in October, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) easing slightly to 49.5 from 49.8 in September, according to Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd.

In its Kenanga Economic Viewpoint report today, the bank said the latest reading was a tad below the neutral 50.0 threshold and marked the lowest level in four months. 

“Despite the lower reading, manufacturing conditions remained broadly unchanged and in mild contraction, signalling a weak start to the final quarter of 2025 and aligning with our expectations of slower growth during the period,” Kenanga said.

It said new orders declined for the first time in three months due to muted market activity and weaker client confidence, particularly from Asia-Pacific and African markets.

Regionally, the report said Asia’s manufacturing performance weakened, with Taiwan, Japan and South Korea also registering lower PMI readings amid softer external demand and the impact of United States import tariffs.

Kenanga maintained its 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast at 4.5 per cent, compared with an estimated 5.1 per cent in 2024. 

--BERNAMA