{
  "id": 18113328,
  "title": "Ringgit closes higher against greenback ahead of OPR decision",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/ringgit-closes-higher-against-greenback-ahead-of-opr-decision",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T11:02:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/11/1570835/ringgit-closes-higher-against-greenback-ahead-opr-decision"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian ringgit gained against the US dollar and other ASEAN currencies on Wednesday, ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia's overnight policy rate (OPR) decision on November 5. At 6pm, the local currency rose to 4.0610/0660 against the greenback, up from Tuesday's close of 4.0735/0775. Analysts anticipate Bank Negara to maintain the OPR at 2.75% throughout 2027, supported by strong economic growth and manageable inflation. Headline inflation is expected to stay within the central bank's projected range of 1.5 to 2.5% in the near term. Following the Democratic Party's gains in the US Mid-Term Elections, SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes noted that the ringgit is in a stronger position. However, meaningful gains for the ringgit might require markets to start pricing out the possibility of a December Federal Reserve interest rate hike. Despite US tariffs primarily falling under presidential control, the election result could lead to legislative hurdles for the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd's chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid mentioned that market sentiment improved after the US Mid-Term Elections, as the Trump administration may face greater legislative obstacles, while the US President has veto powers. Consequently, the US Dollar Index fell 0.46% to 101.399 points. However, it remains unclear whether the election result would bring significant policy shifts, particularly regarding trade and the Iran war. As of now, markets show a positive outlook, potentially boosting risk appetite. Consequently, the ringgit climbed 0.20% to RM4.06 today. Against major currencies, the ringgit traded mostly lower, strengthening against the Japanese yen and Singapore dollar, but inched down against the euro, British pound, Thai baht, Indonesian rupiah, and Philippine peso.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit edged up against the US dollar and other Asean currencies at Wednesday’s closing ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia’s overnight policy rate (OPR) decision tomorrow.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ringgit closes higher ahead of BNM’s OPR decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/ringgit-closes-higher-ahead-of-bnms-opr-decision",
        "published": "2026-11-04T10:24:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Ringgit closes higher vs US dollar ahead of BNM OPR decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/ringgit-closes-higher-vs-us-dollar-ahead-of-bnm-opr-decision",
        "published": "2026-11-04T10:49:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}