Ringgit opens slightly higher, with strong US data capping upside

KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian ringgit began Thursday's trading session with a modest gain against the US dollar, driven by cautious buying on the back of recent gains. However, a stronger US dollar capped the upside, according to an analyst. At 8 am, the local currency traded at 4.0235/0305 per US dollar, up from Wednesday's close of 4.0240/0280.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid noted that recent US economic data seemed to suggest the US economy would maintain its resilience in the third quarter of 2026. The personal income rose by 0.4 per cent month-on-month, personal spending increased by 0.2 per cent m-o-m, and durable goods orders grew by 1.1 per cent m-o-m.

The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation rate, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, also rose by 3.7 per cent year-on-year. The US Dollar Index (DXY) had gained after the data release, hovering around 99.165 points, marking a 0.25 per cent increase since the previous close. Analysts expected the ringgit to trade within the range of RM4.03 to RM4.06 against the US dollar for the day.

The ringgit performed well against major currencies, strengthening against the Japanese yen, British pound, and euro. It also showed resilience against regional currencies such as the Singapore dollar and Thai baht. However, it remained relatively stable against the Indonesian rupiah and Philippine peso.