Malaysia will release its first-quarter advanced GDP print and March inflation data on Friday.
First-quarter growth is expected to have eased to 5.3% from 6.3% in the prior quarter, according to ANZ economists. Early-year data showed stronger agriculture, but softer industrial output and retail activity, as well as resilient electronics production, ANZ noted.
Downside risks from the Middle East conflict are not yet reflected, the bank noted, with March visitor arrivals up just 2.4% and Middle East arrivals plunging 40%.
March inflation could edge up to 1.7% from 1.4% in February, with higher fuel costs only partly reflected due to subsidies, ANZ said. High-frequency data suggest food prices remained contained. Limited demand pressures and Middle East uncertainties should keep the central bank on hold in the near term, it added.
Any references to days are in local times.
Write to Jessica Fleetham at jessica.fleetham@wsj.com and Jihye Lee at jihye.lee@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
04-12-26 1714ET