Headline inflation declined to 2.2% in July

• Headline inflation declined to 2.2% in July (June: 3.4%), reflecting lower inflation for transport, as well as housing and utilities respectively.
• The lower housing and utilities inflation (July y-o-y: 0.7%; June: 3.2%) was mainly due to the implementation of the three-month electricity tariff rebate, beginning July 2021.
• Underlying inflation, as measured by core inflation, remained stable at 0.7%.

Moderate IPI growth at 1.4% following imposition of FMCO

• Overall IPI in June recorded moderate growth of 1.4% as FMCO restrictions limited production activity to only essentials and those involved in global value chains. Electricity production also declined amid lower demand during FMCO. 
• However, manufacturing production continued to expand due to firms' adaptability through extending working days and operationalising new production capacity, particularly among E&E, and selected primary-related industries.

Continued moderation in net financing growth in July

• Net financing growth moderated to 4.0% in July (June: 4.3%) due to lower outstanding loan growth (July: 3.0%, June: 3.4%) and outstanding corporate bond growth (July: 6.5%, June: 6.9%).
• Outstanding household loans grew by 4.2% (June: 5.2%), with moderation across all loan purposes amid the containment measures and mobility restrictions.
• For businesses, outstanding loan growth increased to 1.3% (June: 0.9%), supported by higher working capital loan growth (July: 2.5%, June: 1.6%).

Domestic financial markets continue to be influenced by COVID-19 developments

• In July, financial markets were affected by concerns surrounding the global and domestic growth outlook following the rise in the spread of COVID-19.
• Globally, these concerns led to an increase in demand for safer assets, contributing to a decline in US Treasury yields and a broad-based strengthening of the US dollar. In line with this, the 10-year MGS yield declined by 11.3 basis points and the ringgit depreciated by 1.8% against the US dollar.
• The FBM KLCI had also declined by 2.5% as investor sentiments were affected by the rise in COVID-19 infections domestically and the imposition of stricter containment measures (FMCO) in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. 

Banking system liquidity position remained supportive of financial intermediation

• The banking system continued to maintain healthy liquidity buffers with the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) remaining strong in July (June-21: 149.1%).
• Banks’ funding profile remained stable amid sustained growth in deposits as individuals, businesses and non-bank financial institutions continue to maintain precautionary cash buffers.

Asset quality remains supported by sound risk management practices of banks

• Overall gross impaired loans ratio increased marginally to 1.7% (Jun-21: 1.6%), driven by the household segment.
• Banks continue to set aside additional provisions against potential credit losses, which currently stand at 1.9% of total banking system loans.
• Banks continue to facilitate repayment assistance for viable borrowers facing temporary financial difficulties amid credit risk outlook that remains challenging.

See also:

Press release [PDF]