The leading index for Malaysia, which measures the future economic activity, increased in March, after falling in the previous two months, survey data from the Department of Statistics showed Friday.

The leading index rose by 1.2 percent month-over-month to 119.3 in March from 117.9 in February. At the start of the year, the reading was 119.6.

Among components, number of housing units approved grew 0.8 percent and real money supply went up by 0.5 percent. Number of new companies registered also logged an increase of 0.4 percent.

On an annual basis, leading index climbed at a faster pace of 2.8 percent in March, following a 0.9 percent hike in the preceding month.

The coincident index that reflects the current economic activity rose to 123.9 in March from 123.3 in February.

Yearly, the index increased 4.4 percent in March, after a 2.9 percent rise seen in the previous month.

The lagging index that measures the past economic activity, came in at 142.1 in March, up from 140.2 in the prior month.

The material has been provided by InstaForex Company – www.instaforex.com