• Exports rebounded by 6.7% yoy whilst imports fell by 0.3%
• Trade surplus widened to RM15.3bn; the highest value in 10 years
• The rebound in exports driven by manufacturing and mining sector
• Global trade activities stabled in September
• Trade surplus climbed to decade high

Malaysia’s export in September rebounded by 6.7% yoy to RM83.0bn after falling 0.3% in the preceding month. Manufacturing sector return to act as the driver for the stronger exports in September coupled with double-digit growth in mining sector. In 2018, the value of exports has reached RM80bn and above except in February (RM70.3bn) and June (RM78.6bn). In contrast, imports contracted by 2.7% yoy to RM67.8bn in September after a significant increased of 11.2% in a month before. It was the lowest imports value since February 2018 (RM61.3bn) whilst exports came back to outperform imports in September. Hence, the trade surplus widened to RM15.3bn in September and marked the highest value in 10 years (Sep’08: RM15.4bn) with 251st consecutive month of trade surplus since November 1997.

On monthly basis, exports rose by 1.5% in September after decreasing 5.0% in the preceding month. On the flipside, import plunged by 15.5% in September from 3.0% rise registered in the prior month. On seasonally adjusted terms, exports increased by 1.1% (Aug: 11.0%) whilst imports fell by 14.7% (Aug: 4.0%) respectively.

Total trade in September 2018 was up by 2.3% yoy to RM150.8bn as compared to RM147.5bn in the corresponding period of last year. For 3Q18, total trade amounted to RM476.8tn, grew by 5.7% yoy. Exports expanded by 5.2% to RM251.0bn while imports increased by 6.3% to RM225.8bn. Trade surplus dropped by -4.1% to RM25.2bn compared to the corresponding period of 2017.

Source: BIMB Securities Research - 7 Nov 2018