Asia currencies edge up as lockdowns ease, Bank Negara meeting in focus

The Thai baht weakened marginally after April consumer prices fell 2.99% from a year earlier, well below expectations, to mark its biggest decline in more than a decade. A Reuters poll had forecast a 1.20% drop in prices.

SINGAPORE: Asian currencies were mostly firmer on Tuesday, as easing lockdowns in some parts of the world offset worries about rising tensions between China and the United States. The slower spread of coronavirus in some countries lifted risk sentiment with New Zealand recording no new cases for a second day in a row and Germany, Finland and New York planning to ease lockdown restrictions.

A rise in oil prices from the prospect of improving demand as social restrictions ease and falling supply also helped boost sentiment.