0138 GMT - Malaysia's ports and logistics sector may face a weaker global trade outlook amid escalating U.S.-China tariff tensions, says Maybank IB analyst Loh Yan Jin in a note. While early frontloading ahead of new tariffs could support freight rates in 2Q, volumes may retreat in 2H due to demand exhaustion and slowing trade flows, she adds. Local logistics firms have minimal U.S. exposure, but volume upside remains limited by erratic order flows, poor shipment visibility, and infrastructure strain, she reckons. Maybank cuts Malaysia's ports and logistics sector rating to neutral from positive, pegging hold ratings on Westports Holdings and Swift Haulage. (yingxian.wong@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 21, 2025 21:38 ET (01:38 GMT)
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