Ringgit opens flat amid firming global economy


KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened flat versus the US dollar on Friday despite oil prices surging amidst Russian supply concerns.

At 9.20 am, the local currency was unchanged at 4.1945/1980 versus the greenback from Thursday’s close.

Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief economist, Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ringgit is likely to trade within in a narrow range today as the rise in global interest rates indicate that economic recovery is ongoing, while the Russia-Ukraine military conflict could pose a great challenge on the macroeconomic environment.

"The monetary tightening campaign has continued with the Bank of England (BoE) joining its United States counterpart, raising its benchmark interest rate by another 25 basis points to 0.75 per cent.

"This is the third rate hike since last December, supporting the view that the global economy is firming up despite concerns over the war in Ukraine,’’ he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, Brent crude price trended higher at US$107 per barrel as prospects of peace talks looks dim.

At the opening, the ringgit was traded mostly lower against a basket of major currencies, except versus the Japanese yen where it rose to 3.5343/5375 from 3.5364/5396 at Thursday's close.

The local unit weakened against the Singapore dollar to 3.0990/1018 from 3.0931/0959 yesterday, declined against the British pound at 5.5216/5262 from 5.5212/5258, and was lower against the euro at 4.6559/6598 from 4.6311/6350 previously. - Bernama

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Ringgit , US dollar , Opening , Oil price , BoE , US

Next In Business News

China, Hong Kong stocks end lower as property shares drag
MASkargo, Qatar Airways Cargo expand partnership with new KL-Bengaluru-Doha freighter service
Gold slips as US dollar, yields rise ahead of Fed minutes
Bank Negara's international reserves rise to US$132.6bil at end-June
SJPP approves RM4.9bil financing for over 6,000 MSMEs 1H26
Maybank Islamic launches Nadi Mastercard Credit Card-i with fixed 14% profit rate
South Korean stocks tumble as AI earnings boom faces doubts
5G, AI transforming manufacturing
Asian stocks tumble on AI jitters after Samsung�forecast; oil stable
S.Korea's KOSPI tumbles 8%, triggering circuit breakers for sixth time this year

Others Also Read