Ringgit opens mostly firmer after GDP growth exceeds expectations
The currency was little changed against the US dollar, with an opening quote of 4.0790/0855 at 8 am.
Malaysia’s ringgit gained against most major currencies at the Oct 19 opening after an advance estimate put third-quarter 2026 GDP growth at a stronger-than-expected 5.3 per cent. Its US dollar quote at 8 am was 4.0790/0855, against the previous closing level of 4.0795/0835.
The Department of Statistics Malaysia’s advance figures showed growth of 5.3 per cent for the third quarter, compared with 6.0 per cent in the preceding quarter. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the better-than-expected performance could strengthen expectations for a possible normalisation of monetary policy.
He told Bernama that the ringgit could trade between RM4.07 and RM4.08 against the US dollar on Oct 19.
The euro quote moved to 4.5791/5864 from 4.5911/5956, marking a gain for the ringgit, while the British pound quote shifted to 5.4393/4480 from 5.4396/4449. The ringgit lost ground against the Japanese yen, with the quote moving to 2.5849/5892 from 2.5831/5895.
Gains also predominated against ASEAN currencies. The Indonesian rupiah quote stood at 226.2/226.7 versus 226.3/226.6 previously, while the Philippine peso quote was 6.47/6.49 versus 6.48/6.49.
The ringgit strengthened against the Singapore dollar, quoted at 3.1882/1935 compared with 3.1889/1922 at the previous close. It also advanced against the Thai baht, with the quote at 12.2013/2320 compared with 12.2101/2268.
