Malaysia trade surplus scales fresh record in July

Malaysia’s exports surprised on the upside for the second month in July. A 3.1% year-on-year growth contrasts with the consensus median estimate of a 1.4% YoY fall. This follows the 8.0% growth in June, which was revised slightly from the initial print of 8.8%.

The slowdown in yearly growth stemmed from a high base year effect. We thought the adverse base effect combined with some retracement of a huge 32% month-on-month bounce in June would dent the yearly growth back into the negative territory.

In the end, yet another strong month-on-month surge by 12% saved the day.

Electricals and electronics remained the key export driver with a 9.2% YoY and 21.5% MoM growth, making up more than one-third of total exports.

On the other hand, oil and gas exports still remain weak as they feel the pain of the sharp drop in global oil prices earlier this year and continued weak demand due to the pandemic. Oil and gas exports were down 21% YoY in July but were up 28% MoM. Palm oil grew 52% YoY and 1.6% MoM.

In terms of destination, shipments to the USA and China stood out with 29% YoY and 14% growth respectively.

The import slowdown accelerated to -8.7% YoY in July from -5.6% in June, lifting the monthly trade surplus to MYR 25.1 billion - a new record after the MYR 21 billion surplus seen in June. This brings the cumulative trade surplus in the seven months of 2020 to MYR 89.7 billion, which is MYR 739 billion wider than a year ago.

We maintain our view that net outflows on service account owing to stalled tourism more than offset steady trade surplus and the overall current account surplus sustain its narrowing trend over the remainder of the year. The current surplus fell to MYR 17.1 billion in the first half of 2020 from MYR 31.3 billion a year ago.