{
  "id": 8140480,
  "title": "Ringgit opens higher against US dollar as easing oil‑supply concerns lift sentiment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/ringgit-opens-higher-against-us-dollar-as-easing-oil-supply-concerns",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-18T00:56:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2026/09/18/ringgit-opens-higher-against-us-dollar-as-easing-oilsupply-concerns-lift-sentiment/235577"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — The Malaysian ringgit opened stronger against the US dollar and major currencies today, buoyed by improved sentiment as West Asia crude oil supply worries eased. At 8am, the local currency climbed to 4.0955/1015 per US dollar from yesterday’s close of 4.0965/1010. Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, chief economist at Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd, attributed the market sentiment boost to Saudi Arabia reportedly reviving its damaged East-West pipeline, coupled with continued tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which alleviated immediate supply concerns. As a result, Brent crude oil prices dropped 0.95% to US$104.82 per barrel, while US Treasury yields declined, with both the two- and 10-year notes falling by seven basis points to 4.67% and 4.94%, respectively. However, focus now turns to the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) monetary policy decision later today, with expectations of a 25-basis-point rate hike to 1.25% prevailing among analysts. The BOJ's economic outlook and policy stance will be scrutinized closely, as a hawkish approach could exacerbate yen carry trades and intensify foreign exchange market volatility. Consequently, Dr Afzanizam anticipates the ringgit to remain within a tight range today as traders monitor this pivotal event. The ringgit showed gains against a basket of major currencies, rising against the euro to 4.7000/7069 from 4.7003/7055 yesterday, appreciating against the yen to 2.6228/6268 from 2.6305/6336, and strengthening vis-à-vis the British pound to 5.4704/4784 from 5.4877/4937. However, the local note traded mixed against its Asean peers, appreciating against the Singapore dollar but weakening against the Thai baht. The ringgit remained flat against the Philippine peso and Indonesian rupiah.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar and a basket of major currencies today, su...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Ringgit opens higher against US dollar as oil prices ease",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/ringgit-opens-higher-against-us-dollar-as-oil-prices-ease-8139395",
        "published": "2026-09-18T00:39:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ringgit opens higher against US dollar as oil prices ease",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/ringgit-opens-higher-against-us-dollar-as-oil-prices-ease",
        "published": "2026-09-18T00:40:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}