{
  "id": 14943742,
  "title": "Ringgit strengthens on robust Q3 GDP estimate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/ringgit-strengthens-on-robust-q3-gdp-estimate",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-16T10:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/10/16/ringgit-strengthens-on-robust-q3-gdp-estimate"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "THE ringgit edged higher against the US dollar on Tuesday, buoyed by Malaysia’s more optimistic estimate for the third quarter’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth. The country's statistics department reported that the economy expanded by 5.3% in Q3 2026, up from the 6% growth seen in the previous quarter. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Afzanizam Rashid commented on the news, stating that Malaysia's economy appears resilient. He added that it would not be surprising if the whole-year GDP surpasses the current projection of 4.8% to 5.3%, as the growth for the nine months of 2026 (M9 2026) is already at 5.5%. As of 6pm, the ringgit strengthened to 4.0795/4.0835 against the US dollar, up from the previous close of 4.0800/4.0835. Throughout the day, the local currency traded weaker against a basket of major currencies, with minor fluctuations against its ASEAN peers.",
  "summary": "The statistics department’s advance estimate shows Malaysia’s economy expanded by 5.3% in Q3 2026.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Ringgit steady against US dollar ahead of Malaysia’s third-quarter GDP estimate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/ringgit-steady-against-us-dollar-ahead-of-malaysias-third-quarter-gdp",
        "published": "2026-10-16T01:48:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ringgit strengthens on robust Q3 GDP estimate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/ringgit-strengthens-on-robust-q3-gdp-estimate-14944078",
        "published": "2026-10-16T10:45:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}