Malaysia's manufacturing activity remained in contraction in March and at a faster pace than the previous month, S&P Global said in a report Wednesday.
The seasonally adjusted S&P Global Malaysia Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index edged down to 48.8 in March from 49.7 in February, remaining below the 50 mark that separates contraction from expansion.
Firms saw a softening in new orders to the greatest extent for a year. Both output and new orders dropped during the month.
Employment declined at the end of the first quarter amid subdued demand conditions.
On the price front, input cost inflation slowed for the second straight month, hitting its lowest level in 2025. Meanwhile, output charges remained largely stable, S&P said.
Looking ahead, the optimism of Malaysian manufacturers weakened, reaching its lowest point in just over one-and-a-half years.
