{
  "id": 12993249,
  "title": "Ringgit opens marginally higher against US dollar as 2027 Budget fiscal outlook in focus",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/ringgit-opens-marginally-higher-against-us-dollar-as-2027-budget",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-09T00:57:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/node/1551022"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: On Friday, the ringgit began the day slightly higher against the US dollar, as investors maintained a cautious stance while they awaited the announcement of the 2027 Budget. At 8am, the currency was trading at 4.0880/0945 against the greenback, up from Thursday's closing rate of 4.0890/0940. Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, chief economist at Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd, stated that the market's attention would be primarily on the government's fiscal position, expecting it to adhere to fiscal discipline and gradually reduce the fiscal deficit. This concern was heightened due to the impending state elections and the eventual general election, which could influence the government's budgetary decisions. Rashid emphasized that preserving fiscal discipline would remain crucial for the ringgit's strength, as it would ensure that the country's economic fundamentals support the value of the Malaysian currency. Throughout the trading session, the ringgit saw a decline against major currencies, weakening against the euro, Japanese yen, and British pound. However, it strengthened against the Singapore dollar but weakened against the Thai baht and remained unchanged against the Philippine peso and Indonesian rupiah.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened marginally higher against the US dollar on Friday, with markets remaining cautious as they continued to assess the fiscal outlook ahead of the tabling of the 2027 Budget.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ringgit opens marginally higher against US dollar at 4.0880/0945",
    "Market focuses on 2027 Budget fiscal discipline and deficit reduction",
    "Ringgit weakens against euro, yen, British pound but strengthens against Singapore dollar"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The ringgit's marginal gain against the US dollar reflects investors' wait-and-see approach ahead of the 2027 Budget announcement, with fiscal discipline being a key factor in determining the currency's strength.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ringgit opens marginally higher as Budget 2027 fiscal outlook in focus",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/ringgit-opens-marginally-higher-as-budget-2027-fiscal-outlook-in-focus",
        "published": "2026-10-09T00:49:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Ringgit opens marginally higher against US dollar as 2027 Budget fiscal outlook in focus",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/ringgit-opens-marginally-higher-against-us-dollar-as-2027-budget-13000324",
        "published": "2026-10-09T00:57:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Budget 2027: Anwar to chart path towards stronger growth, better jobs and higher living standards",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/budget-2027-anwar-to-chart-path-towards-stronger-growth-better-jobs",
        "published": "2026-10-09T01:56:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}