Ringgit extends gains as govt measures, US-Japan trade deal lift sentiment

Free Malaysia Today

5 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR : The ringgit extended its gains against the US dollar at today's close, lifted by the latest fiscal support measures announced by the government, as foreign funds flocked into the local equity market, said an analyst.
The local currency was also supported by optimism following the US-Japan trade deal, which boosted Asian equity and foreign exchange markets across the board.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim unveiled a new round of fiscal support measures aimed at alleviating living costs, stimulating domestic consumption and boosting household spending ahead of the upcoming National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Afzanizam Rashid said the one-off RM100 cash aid for Malaysians aged 18 and above, given through MyKad under the RM2 billion 'Sumbangan Asas Rahmah' programme, would help support economic growth in the second half of 2025.
'In a way, it's like a mini fiscal stimulus at a time when external uncertainties have become apparent.
'Such proactive move bodes well for the ringgit in the near-term,' he told Bernama.
Meanwhile, SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes said the ringgit was supported by regional tailwinds after US president Donald Trump struck a 'massive' trade deal with Japan yesterday, which included cutting US tariffs on the latter to 15% from 25%.
Innes noted that the deal has boosted market optimism, which lifted stocks and Asian currencies, including the ringgit.
'There is growing speculation that if Japan could secure softer terms, Malaysia might also seek similar concessions before the Aug 1 deadline,' he added.
At 6pm, the ringgit rose to 4.2255/4.2300 versus the greenback compared with Tuesday's close of 4.2300/4.2370.
However, the ringgit was weaker against a basket of other major currencies at the close.
It slipped versus the Japanese yen to 2.8837/2.8870 from 2.8690/2.8739 at yesterday's close, weakened vis-a-vis the British pound to 5.7230/5.7291 from 5.7088/5.7183 yesterday, and fell versus the euro to 4.9586/4.9639 from 4.9512/4.9594.
The local currency was also easier against some regional peers.
It was flat against the Indonesian rupiah at 259.1/259.5 compared with 259.1/259.7 at yesterday's close.
However, it slid vis-à-vis the Singapore dollar to 3.3071/3.3109 from 3.3011/3.3071 yesterday, depreciated versus the Thai baht to 13.1370/13.1567 from 13.0899/13.1172 previously, and inched down against the Philippine peso to 7.42/7.44 from 7.41/7.43.