Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege
Malaysia

Ringgit opens lower against US Dollar amid global economic uncertainty

Image Credits: Open PrivilegeImage Credits: Open Privilege
  • On March 21, 2025, the Malaysian Ringgit opened weaker against the US dollar, trading at 4.4245/4360, reflecting global market uncertainty.
  • Analysts highlight global factors like US Federal Reserve policies and trade tensions as key influences on the Ringgit's performance.
  • Despite the decline, the Ringgit is expected to trade within a narrow range, with global sentiment and domestic inflation data shaping its outlook.

[MALAYSIA] On March 21, 2025, Malaysia's currency, the Ringgit, opened weaker against the US dollar, retreating from recent gains. At the start of trading, the Ringgit stood at 4.4245/4360 against the US dollar, slightly lower than Thursday’s closing value of 4.4215/4270.

This retreat followed a period of fluctuating trends in global markets, particularly the US Federal Reserve’s stance on monetary policy. Despite the US Treasuries showing fluctuations, which initially saw declines before rebounding, the market reaction failed to provide strong signals that could significantly influence the Ringgit's movements.

Market Insights: Ringgit Faces Pressure Amid Global Uncertainty

Mohd Sedek Jantan, head of investment research at UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd, explained that the Ringgit was lacking clear directional cues, despite the shifts in US Treasuries. He stated, “Although US Treasuries experienced fluctuations yesterday, initially declining before rebounding, they ultimately closed unchanged, indicating a lack of immediate strong signals for capital flows that could significantly influence the ringgit’s movement.”

The situation was further complicated by the uncertainty surrounding global trade. “Moving forward, uncertainty persists as the US prepares to implement reciprocal tariffs on April 2, leaving markets on edge,” Jantan added. He noted that if market sentiment deteriorates, investors may flock to the US dollar as a safe-haven asset, which could put additional pressure on the Ringgit.

Impact of Domestic Economic Data

Domestically, Malaysian economic data was expected to play a role in influencing the Ringgit's performance. Dr. Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, chief economist at Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd, noted that Malaysia's Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February would likely show a modest increase of 1.5 percent year-on-year, down slightly from the previous two months, which saw inflation holding steady at 1.7 percent. This “benign inflation reading” could signal that Bank Negara Malaysia would be comfortable with the current monetary policy and could maintain the overnight policy rate in the near term.

According to Dr. Afzanizam, the Ringgit was expected to trade within a narrow range of 4.42 and 4.43 against the US dollar on that day, underlining the market's cautious outlook.

Global Currency Trends and the Ringgit's Performance

While the Ringgit's performance against the US dollar garnered the most attention, it also weakened against other major global currencies. For instance, it slid against the Euro, dropping to 4.8028/8153 from 4.7973/8033, and against the British Pound, declining to 5.7368/7517 from 5.7276/7347. It also fell against the Japanese Yen, edging down to 2.9773/9852 from 2.9728/9767.

In the ASEAN region, the Ringgit showed mixed results. It lost some ground to the Singapore Dollar, falling to 3.3150/3241 from 3.3117/3164, and weakened slightly against the Philippine Peso to 7.73/7.76 from 7.72/7.74. Additionally, the Ringgit weakened against the Indonesian Rupiah, dropping to 268.3/269.2 from 268.1/268.6. However, it strengthened against the Thai Baht, rising to 13.

Outlook for the Ringgit in the Coming Days

Looking ahead, analysts are watching closely for any developments in the US Federal Reserve’s monetary policies, as well as trade developments, particularly the planned US tariffs. The situation is creating significant uncertainty for markets and could lead to further fluctuations in the Ringgit’s value.

As Jantan pointed out, the absence of strong signals from capital flows in the wake of US Treasury movements suggests that market participants are waiting for clearer guidance before making major adjustments. The Ringgit’s direction in the near term may depend largely on how risk sentiment evolves globally, with any deterioration potentially benefiting the US dollar as a safe-haven asset.

For now, the Ringgit’s performance against the US dollar remains relatively stable but under pressure, with investors closely monitoring both global and domestic factors that could influence its value in the coming weeks.

The Ringgit opened lower against the US dollar on March 21, 2025, after experiencing some recent gains. The currency's movement is influenced by both global factors such as the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy and ongoing trade tensions, as well as domestic economic indicators, including inflation. While the outlook for the Ringgit remains cautious, analysts expect it to remain within a narrow range in the short term, with global risk sentiment playing a key role in determining its direction.


Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege

Read More

Economy Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyMay 9, 2025 at 5:30:00 PM

Indonesia shifts fuel imports from Singapore to US amid tariff negotiations

[WORLD] Indonesia is preparing to reroute a portion of its fuel imports from Singapore to the United States as part of broader negotiations...

In Trend Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendMay 9, 2025 at 4:00:00 PM

Positive prospects in May 2025 for the Snake month

[WORLD] As May 2025 arrives, Chinese astrology places us in the month of the Snake, a time traditionally associated with wisdom, stealth, and...

In Trend Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
In TrendMay 9, 2025 at 3:30:00 PM

All you need to know about ginger

[WORLD] From ancient medicine to modern kitchens, ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been cherished for its distinctive flavor and myriad health benefits. This article...

Economy Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyMay 9, 2025 at 1:30:00 PM

Pope Leo XIV holds first Mass

[WORLD] Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, celebrated his inaugural Mass as the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church today,...

Tech Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechMay 9, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

China’s U.S. exports tumble as tariffs escalate

[WORLD] China's exports to the United States experienced a significant downturn in April 2025, plummeting by 21% year-on-year. This sharp decline follows the...

Leadership Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
LeadershipMay 9, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Manager-employee disconnect undermines workplace morale

[WORLD] A growing number of managers report a more negative outlook on their teams' performance and overall morale than their employees themselves. This...

Finance Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
FinanceMay 9, 2025 at 12:00:00 PM

Bursa Malaysia rises on banking and AI sector optimism

[MALAYSIA] Bursa Malaysia rebounded at the opening bell on Thursday, recovering from the previous session’s losses, driven by renewed buying interest in select...

Economy Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyMay 9, 2025 at 12:00:00 PM

Trump optimistic about US-China trade talks

[WORLD] US President Donald Trump stated yesterday that he expects meaningful trade discussions between the US and China to take place this weekend,...

Finance Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
FinanceMay 9, 2025 at 10:30:00 AM

Bank Negara signals policy shift

[MALAYSIA]

Finance Malaysia
Image Credits: Open Privilege
FinanceMay 9, 2025 at 10:00:00 AM

Ringgit rises on trade optimism amid US dollar strength

[MALAYSIA] The ringgit opened stronger against the US dollar today, buoyed by improved market sentiment stemming from recent developments in global trade tariffs...

Politics Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
PoliticsMay 9, 2025 at 10:00:00 AM

The unraveling of the Western world order

[UNITED STATES] The West stands at a pivotal moment in history. The trajectories of civilizations—rising, falling, and evolving—are often shaped by the choices...

Politics Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
PoliticsMay 9, 2025 at 10:00:00 AM

Hong Kong must become aware of the perils of US port and maritime concerns

[WORLD] As U.S. President Donald Trump escalates tariffs on Chinese imports, concerns of a deepening trade war cast a shadow over the global...

Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege
Load More
Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege