KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — The ringgit firmed against the US dollar as market sentiment improved on the back of Malaysia’s trade performance, which rose 28.6 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) to a record RM336.73 billion in April 2026.

At 6 pm, the ringgit edged up to 3.9675/9715 versus the greenback from 3.9745/9785 at Tuesday’s close.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) earlier reported that the higher export figures were driven mainly by strong exports of electrical and electronic (E&E) products.

Malaysia’s trade maintained strong momentum in April 2026 with exports and imports reaching record highs despite heightened global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions in West Asia that led to higher logistics costs, supply chain disruptions and commodity price volatility.

MITI also said exports extended their growth momentum for the 10th consecutive month, surging 36.9 per cent to a record RM182.74 billion, surpassing the previous high of RM152.77 billion recorded in December 2025 by RM30 billion, while imports rose 20 per cent to RM153.99 billion.

Meanwhile, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ringgit is firming against the US dollar as the situation in West Asia remained unresolved while geopolitical risks remained wobbly.

“The market is also concerned over the higher inflation rate globally following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and how the central bank would respond to cost-induced inflation. These have been the key factors driving market sentiments,” he added.

At the close, the ringgit traded higher against a basket of major currencies.

It strengthened versus the Japanese yen to 2.4942/4969 from 2.4980/5006 and appreciated against the euro to 4.5975/6022 from 4.6180/6226 at yesterday’s close and gained against the British pound to 5.3089/3143 from 5.3282/3336 previously.

At the same time, the local currency traded mixed against regional peers, rising against the Singapore dollar to 3.0969/1003 from 3.1022/1055 at Tuesday’s close and rose against the Thai baht to 12.1341/1516 from 12.1719/1898.

The local currency was flat against the Philippine peso at 6.43/6.44 versus 6.43/6.45 on Tuesday and weakened against the Indonesian rupiah to 224.7/225.0 from 224.4/224.8 yesterday. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — The ringgit opened mixed against regional peers and was mostly firmer against major currencies today, amid cautious market sentiment following stronger-than-expected US jobs data.

At 8am, however, the local unit slipped to 3.9755/9855 against the greenback from yesterday’s close of 3.9745/9785.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the US Dollar Index (DXY) appeared to be gaining further strength, rising 0.14 per cent to 99.327 points following higher-than-expected labour market data. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — The ringgit ended mostly higher against major currencies but eased against the US dollar today as market participants await further developments in West Asia negotiations between the United States (US) and Iran.

At 6pm, the ringgit edged down to 3.9745/9785 versus the greenback from 3.9720/9770 at yesterday’s close.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said market participants are awaiting further developments on the war in Iran as negotiations between the US and Iran continue.

“Meanwhile, WTI and Brent crude prices fell 0.15 per cent and 1.51 per cent to US$108.50 per barrel and US$110.41 per barrel, respectively, as hopes for a resolution to the war strengthened,” he told Bernama

Meanwhile, earlier today, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said Malaysia’s inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose 1.9 per cent year-on-year in April 2026 to 136.9 from 134.3 in the same month last year.

DOSM said Malaysia’s April inflation was lower than that of several countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, the Republic of Korea and Indonesia.

At the close, the ringgit traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies.

It strengthened versus the Japanese yen to 2.4980/5006 from 2.4991/5024 and appreciated against the euro to 4.6180/6226 from 4.6214/6272 at yesterday’s close, but eased against the British pound to 5.3282/3336 from 5.3078/3145 previously.

At the same time, the local currency traded mixed against regional peers, rising against the Singapore dollar to 3.1022/1055 from 3.1036/1078 at yesterday’s close, and strengthening against the Indonesian rupiah to 224.4/224.8 from 224.8/225.1 yesterday.

However, it eased against the Thai baht to 12.1719/1898 from 12.1646/1848, and was flat against the Philippine peso at 6.43/6.45 yesterday. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — The ringgit opened slightly higher against the US dollar on Tuesday as market sentiment continued to focus on developments in West Asia.

At 8 am, the local unit rose to 3.9705/9760 against the greenback from Monday’s close of 3.9720/9770.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said market sentiment continued to revolve around the situation in West Asia, as the United States (US) and Iran continued negotiations for a resolution, which, to a large extent, remained highly elusive.

"The latest development showed that US President Donald Trump had called off plans to attack Iran as serious negotiations with Tehran are ongoing,” he told Bernama. 

Mohd Afzanizam said that despite ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran, the rise in crude oil prices indicated that concerns over escalating geopolitical tensions persisted.

"Still, West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude oil prices rose 3.07 per cent and 2.60 per cent to US$108.66 per barrel and US$112.10 per barrel, respectively.

"Meanwhile, the US dollar index (DXY) fell 0.34 per cent to 98.947 points,” he said. 

As such, Mohd Afzanizam said the ringgit would likely trade within a narrow range of 3.96 to 3.97 against the US dollar today.

At the opening, the ringgit traded lower against a basket of major currencies.

The local note weakened against the British pound to 5.3336/3410 from 5.3078/3145 at Monday’s close, slipped against the euro to 4.6276/6340 from 4.6214/6272 previously, and eased against the Japanese yen to 2.4992/5028 from 2.4991/5024.

The ringgit also traded mostly lower against its regional peers.

It weakened against the Thai baht to 12.2053/2305 from 12.1646/1848 and depreciated against the Singapore dollar to 3.1056/1104 from 3.1036/1078 previously.

However, the local currency edged higher against the Indonesian rupiah to 224.7/225.1 from 224.8/225.1 previously.

The ringgit was little changed against the Philippine peso at 6.43/6.44 from 6.43/6.45 previously. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — The ringgit closed lower against the US dollar on Monday, as cautious sentiment prevailed in the foreign exchange market.

This came on the back of China’s weaker economic data and amid jitters ahead the Federal Open Market Committee minutes to be released on Wednesday.

At 6pm, the ringgit depreciated to 3.9720/9770 versus the greenback from 3.9515/9580 at last Friday’s close.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said data points in China took the centre stage with its fixed-asset investment shrinking 1.6 per cent in the first four months of 2026 against the consensus estimate of 1.7 per cent growth.

“In addition, retail sales grew at a significantly slower rate of 0.2 per cent (year-on-year) during April after posting 1.7 per cent growth in the previous month while the industrial production growth moderated to 4.1 per cent from 5.7 per cent previously.

“Hence, the April figures showed China’s economy is slowing amid the supply shock in the oil and gas sector following the war in Iran which erupted on Feb 28 this year. As such, market sentiment was cautious throughout the day,” he told Bernama.

At the close, the ringgit traded mostly easier against a basket of major currencies.

It strengthened versus the British pound to 5.3078/3145 from 5.3094/3135 at Friday’s close, but fell against the Japanese yen to 2.4991/5024 from 2.4886/4907 at the end of last week and slid vis-a-vis the euro to 4.6214/6272 from 4.6009/6044 previously.

The local currency traded easier against regional peers.

It eased versus the Singapore dollar to 3.1036/1078 from 3.0867/0893 on Friday, fell against the Philippine peso to 6.43/6.45 from 6.37/6.38 previously, weakened vis-a-vis the Thai baht to 12.1646/1848 from 12.1506/1652, and slipped against the Indonesian rupiah to 224.8/225.1 from 224.1/224.4. — Bernama 

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — The ringgit opened slightly higher against the US dollar on Monday although cautious sentiment persisted amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

At 8am, the local unit rose to 3.9495/9605 against the greenback from yesterday’s close of 3.9515/9580.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said market sentiment remained cautious as the prolonged stalemate between the US and Iran continued to raise concerns over a wider conflict in the region. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — The ringgit closed mostly higher against major currencies after Bank Negara Malaysia announced that Malaysia’s economy expanded by 5.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 (1Q 2026), exceeding the advance estimate of 5.3 per cent, driven by robust domestic demand, investment activities and exports.

However, the local note was lower against the US dollar today amid continued support for the greenback on expectations that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) would maintain its restrictive monetary stance.

At 6 pm, the ringgit depreciated to 3.9515/9580 against the greenback from 3.9300/9330 at Thursday’s close.

Earlier today, BNM reported that Malaysia’s economy expanded by 5.4 per cent, with household spending remaining resilient amid favourable labour market conditions and continued policy support, while investment activity was sustained by machinery and equipment spending, structures investment and the implementation of multi-year projects.

The central bank said private consumption expanded by 4.7 per cent in 1Q 2026, while private investment grew 7.8 per cent. Net exports surged 13.5 per cent amid steady export growth and a faster moderation in imports.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said strong US retail sales growth of 4.9 per cent year-on-year in April suggests that the Fed is likely to maintain its restrictive stance this year, providing support for the US dollar.

“Meanwhile, the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping appeared cordial, suggesting that trade relations between the two countries remain fairly conducive for now,” he told Bernama.

At the close, the ringgit traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies.

It appreciated against the British pound to 5.2749/2835 from 5.3094/3135, and rose against the euro to 4.5948/6024 from 4.6009/6044 at Thursday’s close.

However, it slid against the Japanese yen to 2.4927/4968 from 2.4886/4907 previously.

The local currency traded mostly lower against its regional peers.

It rose against the Thai baht to 12.0989/1247 from 12.1506/1652, but eased against the Singapore dollar to 3.0871/0927 from 3.0867/0893, shed against the Indonesian rupiah to 224.5/225.0 from 224.1/224.4 and was lower against the Philippine peso at 6.40/6.41 from 6.37/6.38. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Malaysia’s firm economic prospects and sustained reform momentum are expected to provide enduring support to the ringgit, while external factors will continue to drive exchange rate movements, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

In a statement, the central bank said the ringgit strengthened against Malaysia’s major trading partners’ currencies in the first quarter of 2026 (1Q 2026), as reflected in the 1.4 per cent nominal effective exchange rate (NEER) appreciation.

The local note also appreciated by 0.5 per cent against the US dollar during the quarter, despite the dollar strengthening following the onset of the West Asia conflict amid risk-off sentiment.

“The ringgit’s appreciation was supported by Malaysia’s strong domestic fundamentals and growth momentum, alongside continued non-resident inflows into domestic markets.

“Notwithstanding some volatility following the West Asia conflict and reduced expectations for the United States Federal Reserve policy rate cuts, the ringgit has performed well on a year-to-date basis, appreciating by 3.3 per cent against the US dollar and 2.9 per cent on a NEER basis as of May 13, 2026,” it said.

BNM said it will closely monitor global developments and remains committed to ensuring the orderly functioning of the domestic foreign exchange market.

Meanwhile, the central bank also reported that the financial sector continues to support the financing needs of the economy, with credit growth to the private non-financial sector rising to 5.6 per cent in 1Q 2026 (4Q 2025: 5.3 per cent) following higher growth in outstanding loans (5.6 per cent; 4Q 2026: 4.9 per cent), particularly among businesses.

It said business loans expanded by 5.8 per cent in 1Q 2026 (4Q 2025: 3.9 per cent),  mainly due to higher loan growth among non-small and medium enterprises (SMEs), while SME’s loan growth was broadly sustained at 6.0 per cent (4Q 2025: 5.9 per cent).

For households, loan growth remained stable at 5.4 per cent in 1Q 2026 (4Q 2025: 5.5 per cent), with steady loan growth across most purposes, it added.

“Growth in outstanding corporate bonds moderated to 5.8 per cent in 1Q 2026 (4Q 2025: 6.9 per cent) amid lower issuances in the quarter,” BNM said.

Meanwhile, the banking sector continues to support customers through targeted and tailored measures to provide cash-flow relief, sustain business continuity, and preserve long-term financial viability.

It said financial institutions are offering repayment flexibility, financing restructuring, and advisory services to help customers and SMEs manage cash flow challenges.

Borrowers can also seek assistance through the Debt Management Programme and Small Debt Resolution Scheme offered by the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency.

In addition, the RM5 billion SME Stabilisation Relief Facility (SME SRF) is now open for applications through participating financial institutions, providing timely working capital support to viable SMEs affected by the ongoing West Asia conflict, alongside efforts to strengthen long-term SME resilience through structural reforms.

“BNM is working with the Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd (CGC) to introduce a RM10 billion guarantee scheme, which comprises six portfolio guarantee schemes addressing financial inclusion, climate and sustainability, productivity as well as resilience, and will be available to SMEs from June 1, 2026.

“Further information on the scheme will be announced in due course,” it said. — Bernama