LATEST NEWS   Hartanah Kenyalang Bhd subsidiary Hartanah Construction Sdn Bhd has accepted a RM283.9 mln contract to build Wisma JKR Sarawak in Kuching | National security approach should no longer be an exclusive responsibility of security forces - PM Anwar | NSM cancellation: Malaysia must take firm legal and diplomatic action against Norway - DPM Ahmad Zahid | DPM Ahmad Zahid supports taking legal action and halting any further procurement or contracts with Norway. | Malaysia should not be looked down upon just because it is a small country - DPM Ahmad Zahid | 
BUSINESS • 09/07/2026 06:33 PM

Ringgit Closes Flat As FOMC Minutes Weigh On US Dollar

By Rosemarie Khoo Mohd Sani

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- The ringgit closed flat against the US dollar after the latest US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes suggested a less unified stance on further policy tightening, an analyst said.

At 6 pm, the ringgit was traded at 4.0750/0795 against the US dollar from 4.0750/0800 at Wednesday’s close.

Ad Banner

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the minutes weighed on the greenback amid expectations that the US central bank may keep interest rates unchanged for the remainder of the year, helping the local currency hold its ground.

Currently, the US federal fund rates (FFR) stood at between 3.50 per cent and 3.75 per cent. 

Besides, he said the latest decision by the Bank Negara Malaysia’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to keep the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) steady at 2.75 per cent seems to be ringgit-positive. 

Ad Banner
Ad Banner
Ad Banner
Ad Banner

“The accompanying statement suggests that the MPC members are keen to keep the OPR steady at 2.75 per cent throughout the year with gross domestic product (GDP) growth projection of between four per cent and five per cent for 2026 is highly attainable. 

“This also reinforced the view that the OPR will remain stable for 2026,” Mohd Afzanizam told Bernama. 

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

It fell against the British pound to 5.4654/4714 from 5.4369/4435 at Wednesday's close, weakened against the euro to 4.6581/6633 from 4.6471/6528 and slid against the Japanese yen to 2.5091/5120 from 2.5083/5114 yesterday.

Against regional currencies, the local note traded mixed.

It fell against the Singapore dollar to 3.1518/1558 from 3.1487/1528 at Wednesday's close and slipped against the Thai baht to 12.1886/2064 from 12.1685/1882 previously.

The ringgit, however, appreciated against the Indonesian rupiah to 224.8/225.1 from 226.2/226.5 and edged up against the Philippine peso to 6.61/6.62 from 6.62/6.64 at Wednesday’s close.

-- BERNAMA

 

 

More News

Categories

Tags