{
  "id": 8813220,
  "title": "Ringgit opens mixed against major, Asean currencies after BOJ rate hike",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/ringgit-opens-mixed-against-major-asean-currencies-after-boj-rate-hike-8813220",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-21T01:02:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/09/21/ringgit-opens-mixed-against-major-asean-currencies-after-boj-rate-hike"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit's opening performance on Monday reflected investors' reaction to the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) rate hike on Friday. Throughout the day, the local currency experienced fluctuations against major and Asean currencies. At 8am, the ringgit was slightly lower against the US dollar, trading at 4.0810/4.0865, compared to last Friday's close of 4.0795/4.0840. Following the BOJ's interest rate increase of 0.25% to 1.25%, concerns arose about the feasibility of unwinding the yen carry trade. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Afzanizam Rashid highlighted that higher crude oil prices might keep inflation elevated, potentially prompting the US Federal Reserve to continue raising interest rates by another 25 basis points later in the year. Afzanizam noted that the Malaysian economy demonstrated solid performance with a 5.2% growth rate last year and a 5.7% growth in the first half of 2026. He believed that normalizing the overnight policy rate to 3.00% would be a prudent decision. Moreover, Bank Negara Malaysia could bolster its policy buffer to counter future headwinds, potentially supporting the ringgit within a narrow range. The ringgit showed mixed performance against a basket of major currencies, with slight gains against the euro, declines against the yen and British pound, and mixed results against Asean currencies.",
  "summary": "The ringgit opened mixed against major and Asean currencies on Monday as investors assessed the Bank of Japan's rate hike on Friday. The local note opened slightly lower against the US dollar, easing to 4.0810/4.0865 from last Friday's close of 4.0795/4.0840.\n\nThe Bank of Japan raised interest rates by 0.25% to 1.25% on Friday, pushing borrowing costs to their highest level in 31 years and marking its first hike since June, according to Free Malaysia Today and New Straits Times.\n\nAccording to New Straits Times, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the rate hike had raised concerns about the ease of unwinding the yen carry trade and could lead to the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates by another 25 basis points later this year. He also noted that Malaysia's economy has performed well, with 5.2% growth last year and 5.7% growth in the first half of 2026.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Ringgit opens mixed against major, Asean currencies after BOJ rate hike",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/ringgit-opens-mixed-against-major-asean-currencies-after-boj-rate-hike-8813006",
        "published": "2026-09-21T00:58:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ringgit opens mixed against major, Asean currencies after BOJ rate hike",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/ringgit-opens-mixed-against-major-asean-currencies-after-boj-rate-hike",
        "published": "2026-09-21T01:02:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Ringgit opens mixed against major, Asean currencies as Bank of Japan rate hike weighs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/ringgit-opens-mixed-against-major-asean-currencies-as-bank-of-japan",
        "published": "2026-09-21T01:29:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}