KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — The ringgit retreated against the US dollar on Friday, ending a three-day winning streak as investors focused on geopolitical tensions and the increasingly hawkish stance adopted by central banks globally.

At 6pm, the ringgit fell to 3.9655/9700 versus the greenback from 3.9595/9630 at Thursday’s close.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ringgit was mostly in a narrow range with the US dollar today, languishing around RM3.9583 to RM3.9688.

“The ongoing negotiation between the United States and Iran are still the main focus while central banks across the globe seems to be taking a more hawkish stance,” he told Bernama.

The ringgit firmed against the US dollar for the past three days 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.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) earlier this week 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.

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

It weakened versus the Japanese yen to 2.4925/4954 from 2.4906/4929 at Thursday’s close, slid against the British pound to 5.3245/3305 from 5.3220/3267 previously but gained against the euro to 4.6012/6064 from 4.6037/6078 yesterday.

At the same time, the local currency was mixed against regional peers.

It fell against the Singapore dollar to 3.0985/1023 from 3.0967/0997 at the close on Thursday, down against the Thai baht to 12.1421/1611 from 12.1304/1468 yesterday, but edged up against the Indonesian rupiah to 223.8/224.1 from 224.1/224.4 previously.

It was almost flat against the Philippine peso at 6.42/6.44 from 6.43/6.44. — Bernama

SEREMBAN, May 22 — Malaysia’s participation in Brics is seen as having the potential to strengthen the country’s position in global economic competition, as well as reduce dependence on the traditional financial system dominated by major powers, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said the formation of the bloc aims to ensure that countries of the Global South are not continually sidelined, noting that Brics accounts for about 30 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) and represents a significant share of the world’s population.

“Our agenda is to ensure that Brics countries are able to enhance and maximise their capabilities so that they are not left behind, especially in the post-Covid-19 period.

“Furthermore, many countries are burdened with debt, so I believe the global financial system also needs to be reviewed. We no longer want to be overly dependent on a single system,” he told reporters after launching the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Sendayan athletics championship here today.

Mohamad, who is also Rembau MP and Rantau assemblyman, said Malaysia is now expanding the use of local currencies in trade with neighbouring countries, including Asean members, to reduce reliance on third-party currencies.

He said, at the same time, efforts are being strengthened to boost trade among member countries and reinforce their respective currencies through regional economic cooperation.

“This is why the ringgit is strengthening, as the country’s trade volume has increased significantly. In fact, in the first quarter of this year alone, Malaysia’s total trade exceeded RM1 trillion.

“Malaysia is a trading nation. Any effort to enhance national trade must be carried out in an orderly manner. We do not want to be overly exposed to the use of foreign currencies; it is better for us to trade using our own currencies and through our respective central banks,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said Malaysia can play an important role in Brics given its position as an Asean member and an active trading nation at the international level.

He said Malaysia can leverage the principles of multilateralism shared by Brics and Asean to strengthen governance and enhance investor confidence in the country.

He added that Malaysia continues to be a preferred destination for foreign investors due to its clear, consistent and principled foreign policy, including its commitment to neutrality and its firm stance against human rights violations. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — The ringgit opened firmer against the US dollar on Thursday, supported by easing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

At 8am, the local currency strengthened to 3.9655/9710 against the greenback from Wednesday’s close of 3.9675/9715.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said crude oil prices eased after United States President Donald Trump indicated that negotiations between the US and Iran were nearing completion.

He said West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude prices fell 0.82 per cent and 5.46 per cent to US$107.77 per barrel and US$105.20 per barrel, respectively.

“This has raised hopes that the Strait of Hormuz will soon reopen, allowing the free flow of oil, gas and other goods,” he told Bernama.

Mohd Afzanizam said the US Dollar Index declined 0.21 per cent to 99.122 points despite minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting showing policymakers remained inclined to raise interest rates, with inflation expected to stay above the two per cent target for an extended period.

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

The local currency depreciated against the British pound to 5.3265/3338 from 5.3089/3143 at Wednesday’s close, weakened against the euro to 4.6091/6155 from 4.5975/6022 previously, and eased against the Japanese yen to 2.4954/4991 from 2.4942/4969.

Against regional currencies, the ringgit traded mixed.

It weakened against the Thai baht to 12.1723/1963 from 12.1341/1516 and slipped against the Singapore dollar to 3.1027/1072 from 3.0969/1003 previously.

However, the local currency appreciated against the Indonesian rupiah to 224.6/225.0 from 224.7/225.0 previously and strengthened against the Philippine peso to 6.42/6.44 from 6.43/6.44 previously. — Bernama

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