Malaysia’s growth slowed less than expected after overseas shipments and factory output held up, providing some measure of support for an economy facing faltering investment and higher costs. Gross domestic product rose 4.5 percent in the three months through December from a year earlier, after climbing 4.7 percent in the previous quarter, the government said in a statement Thursday. That compares with a 4.1 percent median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey. The economy grew 5 percent in 2015. The ringgit fell more than any other Asian currency against the dollar last year, making Malaysia’s goods more attractive to overseas buyers. That is countered by a slump in crude that has curbed government revenues and prompted Prime Minister Najib Razak to trim the growth forecast for 2016, while rising costs crimp business investment. “We are far from upbeat about the prospects for Malaysia this year,” said Krystal Tan of Capital Economics Ltd. “The effects of low commodity prices will continue to feed through into the real economy, curtailing investment in the energy sector, keeping commodity export income weak and hurting fiscal revenue.”

Ringgit Gains

The ringgit gained 1.3 percent against the dollar in Kuala Lumpur Thursday, extending its advance after growth and the current-account surplus figures beat estimates. The Malaysian currency has appreciated about 3.2 percent against the U.S. dollar this year, rebounding after a 19 percent decline in 2015. Bank Negara Malaysia left interest rates unchanged for a ninth meeting last month, while cutting the amount of cash banks must set aside as reserves for the first time since 2009 to boost funds in the financial system. The central bank on Thursday warned that the economy is expected to face a “challenging operating environment” with the domestic demand engine projected to slow down. “While the growth in income and employment continues to support private consumption, it is expected to moderate as households continue to adjust to the higher cost of living,” it said in a statement. “The downside risks to growth will however remain, given the continued uncertainty in the external environment and the on-going reforms in the domestic economy.”

Slower Expansion

Growth is now expected by the government to be 4 percent to 4.5 percent this year, compared with an earlier projection of as much as 5 percent. Inflation is projected to rise 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent this year, higher than an October forecast of 2 percent to 3 percent. A key consumer confidence gaugefell to a record low last quarter, and households are turning more negative in their financial outlook for the first half of 2016. The government agreed to delay a plan to double foreign worker levies after companies protestedthe move, saying it would raise the cost of doing business amid an already difficult operating environment. “Malaysia is unlikely to be able to sustain its mojo in 2016,” said Weiwen Ng, an economist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. in Singapore. “The balance of risks in 2016 are skewed towards growth disappointment and fiscal slippage with inflation pressures of second order concern. Structurally lower oil prices means that Malaysia will still be confronted with significant growth and fiscal headwinds.”

‘Sturdy Growth’

Exports rose 3.7 percent in the fourth quarter from a year earlier, after gaining 3.2 percent in the previous three months, the statistics department said. Manufacturing expansion quickened to 5 percent, and electrical and electronic products had “sturdy growth,” it said.  Private consumption expenditure climbed 4.9 percent last quarter from a year ago, accelerating from 4.1 percent in the previous period. Private investment growth slowed to 5 percent from 5.5 percent in the third quarter. “Private investment is projected to moderate to below its long term trend but will nevertheless be supported by the capital expenditure in the manufacturing and services sectors, as well as the implementation of infrastructure projects,” the central bank said.