KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit ended firmer against the greenback and major currencies on Friday, supported by improved risk sentiment following the easing of trade tensions between the United States and China.
At 6pm, the ringgit rose to 4.1860/1930 against the US dollar from Thursday’s close of 4.1935/1985.
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said that the easing of US-China trade tensions has improved sentiment towards regional currencies, including the ringgit.
“In the afternoon session, the local note continued to strengthen against the US dollar, with the US dollar-ringgit pair reaching RM4.1853,” he told Bernama.
At the close, the ringgit inched up against the yen to 2.7162/7210 from 2.7266/7300 at Thursday’s close, strengthened against the British pound to 5.5025/5117 from 5.5304/5370 and rose versus the euro to 4.8453/8534 from 4.8716/8774 previously.
The local note was traded mostly higher against Asean currencies.
It improved against the Singapore dollar to 3.2185/2241 from 3.2285/2326 at Thursday’s close, advanced vis-a-vis the Thai baht to 12.9429/9702 from 12.9501/9723, was higher against the Indonesian rupiah at 251.7/252.2 from 252.0/252.4 and was almost flat against the Philippine peso at 7.12/7.14 from 7.12/7.13 previously.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
