Financial News: Malaysia Inflation Eases In February; Trade Surplus Grows

Malaysia Inflation Eases In February; Trade Surplus Grows

03/19/2026 - 03:38:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - Malaysia's consumer price inflation eased somewhat in February, while the trade surplus increased with favorable net exports, separate reports from the Department of Statistics showed on Thursday.

The consumer price index, or CPI, climbed 1.4 percent year-on-year in February, slower than January's stable increase of 1.6 percent. Economists had expected inflation to remain stable at 1.6 percent.

The annual price growth in food and beverages slowed to 1.3 percent from 1.5 percent, and that in housing and utilities eased to 1.1 percent from 1.2 percent. Meanwhile, clothing and footwear prices remained flat, and transport charges fell at a steady rate of 0.7 percent.

Data showed that core inflation also moderated to 2.0 percent in February from 2.3 percent in January.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices moved up 0.2 percent after rising 0.1 percent in January.

The trade surplus of the country rose to MYR 16.7 billion in February from MYR 12.6 billion in the corresponding month last year as exports grew faster than imports. In January, the surplus was MYR 22.0 billion.

Exports climbed 10.8 percent year-on-year in February, and imports were 8.2 percent higher.

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