Ringgit opens marginally higher as Budget 2027 fiscal outlook in focus

 The local note edges higher to 4.0880/4.0945, with markets remaining cautious ahead of the tabling.

KUALA LUMPUR:

The ringgit opened marginally higher against the US dollar on Friday, with markets remaining cautious as they continued to assess the fiscal outlook ahead of the tabling of Budget 2027.

At 8am, the ringgit edged higher to 4.0880/4.0945 against the greenback from Thursday’s close of 4.0890/4.0940.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Afzanizam Rashid said markets would focus on the government’s fiscal position, with expectations that it would maintain fiscal discipline and keep the fiscal deficit on a downward trajectory.

He said this was particularly important given the political considerations surrounding the Budget, with state elections approaching and a general election expected in the future.

“Maintaining fiscal discipline will continue to be key to ringgit strength, as this will ensure that the economic fundamentals support the Malaysian currency,” he added.

The ringgit traded lower against major currencies at the opening.

It fell against the euro to 4.5839/4.5912 from 4.5719/4.5775 at Thursday’s close, weakened against the Japanese yen to 2.5862/2.5905 from 2.5834/2.5867, and eased against the British pound to 5.4076/5.4162 from 5.3930/5.3996.

Against regional currencies, the ringgit traded mixed.

It strengthened against the Singapore dollar to 3.1918/3.1971 from 3.1893/3.1934 at Thursday’s close, but weakened against the Thai baht to 12.1468/12.1715 from 12.1371/12.1563.

The local note was unchanged against the Philippine peso at 6.50/6.51 and the Indonesian rupiah at 228.2/228.6. - FMT