Malaysia's IP may softened in April

Malaysia's Department of Statistics will announce April industrial production (IP) data on 11 June. Standard Chartered forecasts, growth of 3.8% y/y in headline IP, slowing down from 6.9% y/y in March. January-March IP increased 6.4% y/y, higher than 4.7% in the same period last year. 

Overall activity was likely supported by strong mining production, possibly due to new oil fields becoming operational. Manufacturing and electricity production was likely more moderate in Q1-2015 versus Q1-2014. Within manufacturing, production of electrical and electronic goods grew strongly by 10.6% in Q1, albeit slower than in 2014. A similar trend is expected for the transport equipment sector, says Standard Chartered.