Ringgit rises against US dollar as markets brace for FOMC decision

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — The Malaysian ringgit opened stronger against the US dollar as investors kept a watchful eye ahead of the forthcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting scheduled for September 15-16, 2026. By 8 am, the local currency had climbed to 4.0630/0730 against the greenback, up from its previous close of 4.0685/0725.

Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, chief economist of Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd, suggested that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) interest rate decision on September 18 is also impacting market sentiment. He expressed concern over elevated inflationary pressures, citing the current level of Brent crude oil at US$107 per barrel. Further, the potential shutdown of the East-West oil pipeline by the Saudi government and the postponement of a meeting between Iran and Gulf states indicate the fragility of oil supplies from the West Asia region, he told Bernama.

The prevailing risk-off sentiment is expected to dominate the market, leading the ringgit to trade between RM4.07 and RM4.08 today. At market open, the ringgit exhibited mixed performance against major currencies; it appreciated against the euro, rose against the British pound, but weakened against the Japanese yen. It also strengthened against ASEAN currencies, including the Singapore dollar, Thai baht, and Indonesian rupiah.