KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit closes almost unchanged against the US dollar ahead of the second-quarter (2Q26) gross domestic product (GDP) announcement today, as investors adopt a wait-and-see approach after US inflation data came in within expectations, supporting the greenback.
At 6pm yesterday, the ringgit eased to 4.0850/0890 versus the US dollar from Wednesday’s close of 4.0835/0875.
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the market adopted a wait-and-see approach ahead of today’s announcements by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Statistics Department on the country’s economic performance.
“Malaysia’s advance GDP estimate for 2Q26 expanded by 5.8% year-on-year, accelerating from 1Q26, which stood at 5.4%.
“It is highly likely that the numbers will be met, or perhaps surpass expectations, based on indicators such as the Industrial Production Index and Malaysia’s services activity,” he said. — Bernama
