Malaysia’s industrial production index (IPI) increased by 4.1% in August 2024, propelled by the moderate growth in the manufacturing sector, said the Department of Statistics (DOSM).

“The industrial production index (IPI) moderated to 4.1% in August 2024, as compared to an increase of 5.3% in the preceding month (July),” said chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin.

Mohd Uzir said the increase was primarily supported by the expansion of the output in the manufacturing sector at 6.5%, compared to 7.7% in July.

“This is followed by the positive growth of 4.1% (July 2024: 7.0%) in electricity output.

“Inversely, the output of the mining sector continued to decline year-on-year (y-o-y) for two consecutive months by recording a 6.4% decline in August 2024, compared to a 5.0% decline in July,” he said in a statement on Friday.

For a month-on-month (m-o-m) comparison, DOSM said the IPI rebounded to 1.7% in August 2024 after declining by 1.5% in the previous month.

It added that the increase in manufacturing output in August 2024 was supported by the production in export-oriented industries, which softened to 6.3% growth as against 7.8% recorded in July 2024.

“The growth was mainly supported by the resilient growth observed in the manufacture of vegetable and animal oils as well as fats, which recorded an increase of 22.6% (July 2024: 21.9%), and the manufacturing of rubber products at 11.1% (July 2024: 10.5%).

“In addition, the manufacturing of computers, electronics and optical products also contributed to the increase by recording 8.7% growth (July 2024: 5.0%),” it said.

DOSM added that on a m-o-m comparison, the export-oriented industries improved by 3.0% in August 2024 versus a 3.3% decline in July.

It also said that the domestic-oriented industries continued to rise by registering 7.1%, slightly slower than the 7.5% increase recorded in the preceding month.

“This robust performance was largely influenced by a favourable growth in the manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment as well as the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers which increased by 10.3% (July 2024: 9.1%) and 7.7% (July 2024: 3.9%), respectively,” it said.

DOSM also noted that the IPI for several other countries, including Singapore, the US, and Taiwan, experienced higher output growth in August 2024, while China, South Korea, and Vietnam continued to grow but slower than the preceding month.

“Conversely, Japan and Thailand declined during the month. Cumulatively, throughout the first eight months this year (January–August 2024), the IPI picked up by 4.1% as compared to the same period in 2023, with all sectors posting an expansion, namely the mining index (1.8%), manufacturing index (4.4%) and electricity index (6.7%),” it added.

Source: The edge markets

Crude oil prices have been on a retreat towards the end of the week but still look set to book another weekly gain, supported by the situation in the Middle East and worry about the security of supply.

In a fresh update, Reuters reported that Gulf states were lobbying with Washington to convince Israel not to target Iranian oil sites on fears that this would prompt retaliatory attacks by Iran-affiliated groups on those Gulf states’ own oil infrastructure.

“The Iranians have stated: 'If the Gulf states open up their airspace to Israel, that would be an act of war',” a Saudi analyst close to the kingdom’s ruling family told Reuters.

“The Gulf states aren't letting Israel use their airspace. They won't allow Israeli missiles to pass through, and there's also a hope that they won't strike the oil facilities,” an unnamed source from the Gulf said. The oil kingdoms had made it clear earlier that they would not be taking a side in that war.

The possibility of such a development has clear bullish implications for the price of oil in the case of an oil-focused escalation, especially in light of Israel’s apparent decision not to consult the U.S. on everything it does on the battlefield and outside it.

Hurricane Milton also helped push oil prices higher this week after it made landfall in Florida, although it did not wreak the devastation expected from a Category 5 hurricane as it lost a lot of its destructive power before landfall.

“Investors are evaluating how hurricane damage might impact the U.S. economy and fuel demand,” NS Trading president Hiroyuki Kikukawa told Reuters. “Oil prices are likely to hover around the current 200-day average levels, with the primary concern being whether Israel will retaliate against Iranian oil facilities.”

Benchmarks added some 3% on Thursday as Israel’s government met to discuss its retaliatory move against Iran. Earlier on Friday, Brent crude was hovering around $80, with West Texas Intermediate above $75 per barrel.

Source: OILPRICE

Markets

US September inflation printed hotter than expected and contained some important hawkish details such as rising food prices and accelerating supercore services inflation (to an annualized 3mMA of around 4%). Several Fed officials including NY’s Williams, Chicago’s Goolsbee and Richmond’s Barkin were not too worried and focused on the broader picture in which inflation is moving in the right direction. Bostic was the odd one out. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the Atlanta Fed president said he was comfortable with skipping a meeting if the data say that’s appropriate.

Coming shortly after a strong ISM, stellar payrolls and yesterday’s CPI, Bostic’s comments briefly sparked an uptick in yields and the dollar. The former finished lower nonetheless, unable to ignore the sharp jump in weekly jobless claims to the highest in more than a year (256k). North Carolina and Florida alone make more than 12k of the net 33k advance from the week before. Both states were hit by hurricane Helene.

Net daily changes in US yields varied between -6.4 bps (2-yr) to +1.8 bps (30-yr). Underperformance of the long end was way more significant before an excellent 30-yr bond auction called off an intraday yield sprint of almost 7 bps (30-yr). The German yield curve’s shift was similar though much less sizeable (-2.7 bps to +0.6 bps). A fragile risk environment and proper gains in oil (Brent +3.7%) provided a cushion for the dollar. EUR/USD ended slightly lower (1.0934). DXY tested the 103 big figure for the first time since mid-August.

Today’s economic calendar is a meagre one (Michigan consumer sentiment) and the US has a long weekend coming (Columbus Day on Monday). We don’t expect markets to move much in such an environment. The October US yield rally lost some steam, especially at the front where the 4% mark serves as a difficult-to-break resistance level. The dollar’s recent recovery may therefore ease a little as well. EUR/USD 1.0907 (50% retracement on the April-September EUR/USD rise) serves as first support.

The financial start of the Q3 earnings season serves as a wildcard. We’d also mention a highly anticipated stimulus announcement of the Chinese finance minister tomorrow. It’s seen as a second chance after the country’s economic planning agency underwhelmed investors on Tuesday. Hopes this time around are for a massive CNY 2tn package.

News & Views

“The French economy is holding up, but our public debt is colossal. It would be both cynical and fatal not to see it, say it and recognize it.” And so French Finance Minister Armand yesterday evening unveiled a 2025 budget which delivered a combined €60.6bn in spending cuts (2/3) and tax hikes (1/3) which should reduce the deficit from 6.1% of GDP to 5% next year. The aim is to get below the 3% deficit threshold by 2029, two years after the official EU goal. The debt ratio is projected to hit 114.7 of GDP from 112.9% this year. The government uses 1.1% growth and 1.8% inflation in its calculations. In the proposal, spending cuts zoom in things like medical costs, unemployment and reducing the number of public servants.

Temporary levies on large companies (revenue > €1bn) should raise around €12bn over the next two years. Company stock buybacks would be subject to an exceptional tax when the shares are canceled. A 20% tax rate floor will be introduced for individuals earning €250k annually or couples earning double the amount to counter tax shelter effects. A controversial measure is delaying the indexation of pensions until July 1. The budget bill will be discussed in parliament starting next week and needs to be adopted by the end 2024. The government’s lack of parliamentary majority makes it extremely vulnerable to obstructions and confidence votes.

The Bank of Korea lowered its policy rate a first time this morning, from 3.5% to 3.25%, after keeping it level since January 2023. The central bank expects inflation to stabilize at the 2% target level and growth to moderate further. Growth uncertainties increased though due to the delayed recovery in domestic demand. Regarding financial stability, housing prices in the Seoul area and household debt growth are anticipated to gradually slow due to the effects of tightened macroprudential policies.

The Board will thoroughly assess the trade-offs among variables such as inflation, growth, and financial stability, and carefully determine the pace of further policy rate cuts. Five members want to keep rates steady over the next three months, with one in favor of keeping the door open for a cut. Governor Rhee’s view are not disclosed. The Korean won barely manages to gain ground this morning with USD/KRW holding near recent highs around 1350.

Graphs

GE 10y yield

The ECB cut policy rates by 25 bps in June and in September. Stubborn inflation (core, services) still is a source of concern, but very weak PMI’s and soft comments of Lagarde (and other MPC members) suggest the ECB is likely to step up the pace of easing with an October cut. Spill-overs from strong US data prevented a test of the 2.0% barrier. 2.00-2.35% might serve as a ST consolidation range.

US 10-y yield

The Fed kicked off its easing cycle with a 50 bps move. Powell and Co turning the focus from inflation to a potential slowdown in growth/employment made markets consider more 50 bps steps. Strong US September payrolls suggest the economy doesn’t need aggressive Fed support for now, but the debate might resurface as the economic cycle develops. For the US 10-y, 3.60% serves as strong support. The steepening trend is taking a breather.

EUR/USD

EUR/USD twice tested the 1.12 big figure as the dollar lost interest rate support at stealth pace. Bets on fast and large rate cuts trumped traditional safe haven flows into USD. An ailing euro(pean economy) partially offset some of the general USD weakness. After solid early October US data, the dollar regained traction, with EUR/USD breaking the 1.1002 neckline. Targets of this pattern are near 1.08.

EUR/GBP

The BoE delivered a hawkish cut in August. Policy restrictiveness was indicated to be further unwound gradually. The economic picture between the UK and Europe also (temporarily?) diverged to the benefit of sterling, pulling EUR/GBP below 0.84 support. Dovish comments by BoE Bailey ended by default GBP-strength. Uncertainty on the UK budget to be released end this month is becoming an additional headwind for the UK currency.

Source: ACTIONFOREX

Source: AP

Where We Stand – 

Look Ahead –

South Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said Friday he respected and welcomed the central bank's decision to lower interest rates.

Choi made the comment during a parliamentary audit session into his ministry, which came after the Bank of Korea (BOK) lowered the benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point to 3.25 percent in its first rate cut since August 2021 in an effort to boost economic growth.

"I respect and welcome the rate reduction decision," Choi said in response to a question by a lawmaker about whether he expected such a decision.

BOK conducts 1st policy pivot in over 3 yrs amid moderating inflation, cooling property

The presidential office and the ruling party have voiced expectations for the central bank's pivot to support domestic demand and economic growth despite concerns about rising home prices in Seoul and the surrounding regions that would push up household debts further.

During a local debate session last month, Choi said that he thinks "as the deputy prime minister for economic affairs that we need to put greater priority on how to recover weak domestic demand (than on household debt issues) in a shorter term."

The BOK delivered seven consecutive rate hikes from April 2022 to January 2023 and had kept the rate at 3.5 percent, the highest level in about 16 years, and Gov. Rhee Chang-yong recently pointed to surging household debts and rising home prices as major factors for a possible pivot. 

Source: Koreatimes