{
  "id": 1601854,
  "title": "Ringgit strengthens vs major currencies, little change against US dollar",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/ringgit-strengthens-vs-major-currencies-little-change-against-us",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-18T00:50:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/08/1513452/ringgit-strengthens-vs-major-currencies-little-change-against-us"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian ringgit opened stronger against other major currencies on Tuesday, but showed little movement against the US dollar, according to an economist. The currency began the day at 4.0585/0675 per US dollar, up from its previous close of 4.0585/0630. Dr Mohd Afzanizam, chief economist at Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd, suggested that a lower probability of a US interest rate hike in September would bolster emerging market currencies, including the ringgit. However, he noted that the Malaysian economy is in a favorable position, with robust GDP growth and stable inflation rates. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data indicated that headline and core inflation both decreased to 1.8% in July. Dr Afzanizam predicted that the ringgit would fluctuate between 4.06 and 4.08 against the US dollar throughout the day. At opening, the currency showed relative strength compared to a basket of major currencies, including the Japanese yen, British pound, euro, Singapore dollar, Thai baht, Philippine peso, and Indonesian rupiah.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened higher against major currencies but was little changed against the US dollar on Tuesday, amid expectations that the possibility of a US interest rate hike in September has dropped, an economist said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Malaysian ringgit strengthened vs major currencies Tuesday",
    "US dollar unchanged at 4.0585/0675 per ringgit",
    "Lower US rate hike probability boosted emerging markets"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ringgit strengthens vs major currencies, little change against US dollar",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/ringgit-strengthens-vs-major-currencies-little-change-against-us-1609060",
        "published": "2026-08-18T00:42:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}