THE ringgit is expected to remain range-bound next week, trading between RM4.21 and RM4.23 against the US dollar, amid sustained demand for the local note and heightened anticipation over key US economic data and Malaysia’s upcoming federal budget.
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said that markets will closely track several major indicators from the United States, including job openings, the ADP employment report and the all-important nonfarm payroll figures.
“So far, weekly initial jobless claims indicate that the US labour market remains resilient, with applications for unemployment benefits staying relatively low,” he told Bernama.
He also noted that domestic attention will shift toward the tabling of Budget 2026 on 10 October.
“We expect the government to maintain its expansionary stance while ensuring fiscal deficits continue to decline. Such measures should support the ringgit in the medium to longer term,” he added.
Despite a modest decline against the greenback on a weekly basis—slipping to 4.2200/2250 from 4.2040/2115—the ringgit made gains across most major and regional currencies.
Against the Japanese yen, it appreciated to 2.8171/8206 from 2.8419/8471. It also rose against the euro to 4.9281/9340 from 4.9447/9536, and strengthened against the British pound to 5.6345/6412 from 5.6775/6876.
The local currency also advanced against several Asian counterparts. It improved to 3.2630/2671 from 3.2744/2805 against the Singapore dollar, gained against the Philippine peso at 7.25/7.27 from 7.36/7.38, appreciated versus the Indonesian rupiah at 252.1/252.5 from 253.2/253.8, and rose against the Thai baht to 13.0587/1069 from 13.1973/2271. - September 27, 2025
