Malaysia’s Top 10 Major Export Companies

Below are Malaysia’s biggest export-related companies organized by asset value. Shown within parentheses is the primary industry in which each company operates. Also shown is the change in asset value as of May 2016 compared to 2015.

1. Maybank (regional banks): US$165 billion, down -3.6% from 2015
2. Hong Leong Financial (investment services): $48.2 billion, down -13.9%
3. Genting (consumer discretionary): $20.8 billion, down -4.4%
4. Sime Darby (business conglomerate): $15.2 billion, up 0.1%
5. Axiata Group (communications equipment): $13. 2 billion, down -0.5%
6. MISC Bhd (transportation): $11.1 billion, down -10%
7. Petronas Chemicals (specialized chemicals): $7.4 billion, down -12.8%
8. Maxis (telecommunications services): $4.6 billion, down -12.6%
9. IOI Group (food processing): $4.4 billion, down -43.7%
10. Petronas Dagangan (oil, gas): $3.1 billion, no change

Only one of these large Malaysian exporters grew their asset values from 2015 to May 2016, conglomerate Sime Darby which grew a modest 0.1%.

Asset declines ranged from -0.5% for Malaysian communications equipment maker Axiata Group to a -43.7% drop for food processor IOI Group.

Sales is the life blood of all business, particularly for firms that compete in international trade.

1. Sime Darby: US$11.5 billion, down -20.3% from 2015
2. Petronas Dagangan: $10.3 billion, down -0.3%
3. Maybank: $7.6 billion, down -21.4%
4. Axiata Group: $5.1 billion, down -12.2%
5. Genting: $4.6 billion, down -17.3%
6. IOI Group: $3.6 billion, down -8.7%
7. Petronas Chemicals: $3.5 billion, down -27.9%
8. MISC Bhd: $2.8 billion, down -0.4%
9. Maxis: $2.1 billion, down -26.9%
10. Hong Leong Financial: $2.1 billion, down -15.2%

Sales declines ranged from -27.9% drop for Petronas Chemicals and a -26.9% setback for telecommunications provider Maxis to a small -0.4% decline for MIS transportation firm and -0.3% for oil and gas operator Petronas Dagangan.

Despite the slowing global economy, all ten of the largest Malaysian firms posted profits as of May 2016.

1. Maybank: US$1.75 billion, down -16.7% from 2015
2. IOI Group: $833.7 million, up 66.7%
3. Petronas Chemicals: $711.6 million, down -28.8%
4. Axiata Group: $653.3 million, down -18.3%
5. MISC Bhd: $631.2 million, down -9.8%
6. Sime Darby: $505.5 million, down -54%
7. Maxis: $456.1 million, down -24%
8. Hong Leong Financial: $372.2 million, down -25.6%
9. Genting: $355 million, down -40.8%
10. Petronas Dagangan: $257.7 million, down -14.1%

Food processor IOI Group was the only top Malaysian export-related firm to boost profitability since 2015, up 66.7% as of May 2016.

Profitability declines range from -9.8% from transportation provider MISC Bhd to -54% for business conglomerate Sime Darby.

All 10 of Malaysia’s top export-related companies have their headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s national capital and largest city.

1. Maybank: Kuala Lumpur
2. Hong Leong Financial: Kuala Lumpur
3. Genting: Kuala Lumpur
4. Sime Darby: Kuala Lumpur
5. Axiata Group: Kuala Lumpur
6. MISC Bhd: Kuala Lumpur
7. Petronas Chemicals: Kuala Lumpur
8. Maxis: Kuala Lumpur
9. IOI Group: Kuala Lumpur
10. Petronas Dagangan: Kuala Lumpur