The ringgit strengthened against the US dollar, supported by better-than-expected Q4 2025 GDP growth of 5.7%, signalling economic resilience.
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar on Monday, buoyed by stronger-than-expected advance gross domestic product (GDP) estimates.
The local currency strengthened to 4.0540/0640 against the greenback from Friday’s close of 4.0555/0605.
The advance GDP growth of 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025 signals continued resilience in the Malaysian economy.
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid noted the US Dollar Index has been on a rising trend, gaining against other major currencies.
He also said possible snap elections in Japan have recently led to a weaker yen amid heightened market uncertainties.
However, he said the stronger-than-expected GDP estimates suggest the Malaysian economy remains resilient.
“And Bank Negara Malaysia’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting is expected to keep the overnight policy rate steady when they meet on Thursday,” he told Bernama.
He expects the ringgit versus the US dollar to trade in a range of around RM4.05 and RM4.06 today.
At the opening, the ringgit traded mostly lower against a basket of major currencies.
It appreciated against the British pound to 5.4328/4462 from 5.4332/4399.
The local note eased versus the Japanese yen to 2.5728/5793 from 2.5637/5670 at Friday’s close.
It also edged down against the euro to 4.7120/7236 from 4.7076/7134 last week.
The ringgit traded mostly lower against its ASEAN peers.
It rose against the Indonesian rupiah to 240.0/240.7 from 240.1/240.5.
The local currency was little changed versus the Philippine peso at 6.83/6.85 compared with last week’s close of 6.83/6.84.
It declined against the Thai baht to 12.9525/9932 from 12.9115/9332.
The ringgit also eased versus the Singapore dollar to 3.1502/1585 from 3.1479/1521.
