Ringgit ends higher against US dollar on Budget 2027 fiscal discipline

The Malaysian ringgit ended the trading day higher against the US dollar on Friday, driven by the government's commitment to fiscal consolidation as outlined in the Budget 2027. By 6pm, the ringgit reached 4.0830/4.0875 against the greenback, up from Thursday's close of 4.0890/4.0940. Analyst Afzanizam Rashid from Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd pointed out that Malaysia's fiscal deficit is projected to decrease to 3.3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2027 from an estimated 3.6% in 2026.

By the end of the trading session, the ringgit fluctuated against various major and ASEAN currencies. It gained against the Japanese yen, trading at 2.5791/2.5821 compared to 2.5834/2.5867 at the previous close. However, the ringgit dipped against the British pound, falling to 5.4063/5.4123 from 5.3930/5.3996, and weakened against the euro, dropping to 4.5807/4.5858 from 4.5719/4.5775.

Relative to ASEAN currencies, the local currency showed an improvement against the Indonesian rupiah, reaching 228.1/228.4 compared to 228.2/228.6, while remaining steady against the Philippine peso at 6.50/6.51. The ringgit edged lower against the Singapore dollar, trading at 3.1896/3.1934, down from 3.1893/3.1934 at Thursday's close.

Lastly, it declined against the Thai baht, falling to 12.1735/12.1909, after previously being at 12.1371/12.1563.