Malaysia's February factory output growth seen slowing

[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia's industrial output growth in February likely slowed to 4.7 per cent from a year earlier, a Reuters poll showed, as exports fell sharply that month.

Output in January surged 7.0 per cent, partly helped by a lower base from the year before. The Lunar New Year holiday fell in late January last year.

The forecast for February output reflects lower expectations for production as Malaysia's exports in February fell 9.7 per cent from a year earlier - the biggest drop since September 2009 - hit by slowing demand from China.

Exports to the United States remain solid, but shipments to other markets such as the European Union and Japan were also weak.

REUTERS