Overview

 The Leading Index increased 1.29 per cent in April 2026,
signalling an optimistic economic prospect in the near term

The Malaysian Economic Indicators for April 2026 demonstrated an improved performance with the Leading Index (LI) registering 1.29 per cent to 115.0 points compared to 113.5 points in the same month of the previous year (-0.9%). This increase was driven by the positive performance of several components, particularly the Number of Housing Units Approved (35.5%). However, the incline was tempered by declines in three other components, resulted in affecting the overall growth momentum. On a monthly basis, the LI increased by 1.25 per cent in April 2026, supported by the Number of New Companies Registered and the Real Imports of Semi Conductors, each contributing 0.9 per cent, in line with the development of technology-based economic activities and sustained demand for the electrical and electronics sector.

Looking at the smoothed long-term trend in April 2026, the LI remained below 100.0 points, reflecting an optimistic economic growth outlook amid ongoing global uncertainties. Nevertheless, continued investment activities as well as demand related to digital technology and data centres are expected to remain as catalyst for the country’s economic growth.

During the same period, the Coincident Index (CI) which gauges current economic conditions, recorded an increase of 2.6 per cent to 131.6 points in April 2026 as compared to 128.3 points in the same month of the previous year. This performance was contributed by increases in all components, particularly the Industrial Production Index (8.3%). From a monthly perspective, the CI increased 0.9 per cent as compared to 0.8 per cent in the previous month, driven by the Industrial Production Index (0.6%) and Capacity Utilisation in Manufacturing (0.5%).

The Diffusion Index for the LI recorded 28.6 per cent in the reference month, lower than 42.9 per cent in the previous month. Meanwhile, the Diffusion Index for the CI increased to 83.3 per cent from 33.3 per cent recorded in the previous month.

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