Ringgit advances vs US dollar amid weak US data and tariff concerns

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit continues to strengthen against the US dollar on Friday, as the United States (US) economic data points to further weakening amid concerns over tariffs and fiscal policies, an analyst said.
At 8 am, the local note improved to 4.2140/2335 against the greenback from Thursday's close of 4.2245/2295.
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the US Dollar Index (DXY) slipped by 0.05 per cent to 98.741 points as US economic data showed signs of further slowdown.
'US Initial Jobless Claims rose to 247,000 last week, marking the second consecutive week of increases, while the Continuous Jobless Claims remained elevated to 1.904 million for the week ending May 24, 2025.
'The focus tonight will be on the Nonfarm Payroll (NFP), which is expected to reach 125,000 in May (consensus) from the previous month's print of 177,000,' he told Bernama.
Mohd Afzanizam said emerging market currencies, including the ringgit, have been appreciating against the US dollar due to a weaker US economic outlook and continued concerns over tariffs and fiscal policies.
'The prevailing market condition defied the norms because the US dollar has been deemed a safe-haven currency. Traders and investors would normally flock to the US dollar to seek protection against extreme volatility,' he said.
Mohd Afzanizam said the market will continue to be wary of US tariff policies and the recent fallout between US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk over the government's budgetary position and its impact on the global economy, which may lead to further noise in the market sentiments.
'At the end of the day, it is about prescribing a good policy and implementing it promptly to see the outcome,' he said.
Therefore, he said the ringgit may continue to climb in light of the prevailing condition, reaching RM4.20 in the near term.
At the opening, the ringgit traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies.
It appreciated against the Japanese yen to 2.9343/9481 from Thursday's 2.9495/9531 and climbed against the British pound to 5.7226/7491 from 5.7301/7369, but slid versus the euro to 4.8263/8486 from 4.8235/8292.
The local currency also traded higher against most of its ASEAN peers.
It gained versus the Singapore dollar to 3.2758/2915 from Thursday's close of 3.2881/2922 and was marginally higher against the Indonesian rupiah at 258.7/260.1 from 259.3/259.8.
The ringgit surged against the Thai baht to 12.9157/9854 from yesterday's close of 12.9925/13.0138 and edged up against the Philippine peso to 7.57/7.62 from 7.59/7.61.

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