KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — The ringgit ended lower against the US dollar yesterday on cautious sentiment over rising fuel prices, unresolved geopolitical tensions and global trade uncertainties.

At 6pm, the local currency depreciated to 4.0095/0140 against the greenback from Wednesday’s close of 3.9955/9990.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said elevated fuel prices are expected to exert upward pressure on global inflation as a truce between the US and Israeli forces and the Iranian military remains elusive.

“Hence, traders and investors have become more edgy, with fuel prices expected to remain elevated.

“In addition, the US’ trade protectionist policies are here to stay, leading to further anxiety in market sentiment,” he told Bernama.

On June 2, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published its findings under the Section 301 investigation into alleged forced labour involving Malaysia and proposed a 10 per cent tariff on Malaysian goods upon the expiry of the tariff imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act 1974 on July 24, 2026.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) noted that no final tariff determination has been made against Malaysia, as the proposed 10 per cent tariff remains subject to the USTR’s ongoing investigation and formal determination.

The ringgit also traded lower against a basket of major currencies.

It eased against the British pound to 5.3872/3932 from 5.3727/3775, slid against the euro to 4.6610/6663 from 4.6400/6440, and slipped versus the Japanese yen to 2.5081/5111 from 2.5005/5027 at yesterday’s close.

The local currency traded mostly lower against regional peers.

It retreated versus the Singapore dollar to 3.1241/1279 from 3.1164/1193, eased against the Thai baht to 12.2708/2903 from 12.1825/1988, and weakened against the Philippine peso to 6.50/6.52 from 6.47/6.48.

However, it was higher against the Indonesian rupiah at 222.1/222.4 versus 222.3/222.7 at Wednesday’s close. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar and most major currencies today, tracking a slight pullback in the US Dollar Index (DXY) amid easing tensions in West Asia.

At 8 am, the local note appreciated to 4.0665/0780 against the greenback from Monday’s close of 4.0715/0760.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the DXY fell slightly to 99.98 points as Iran and Israel appeared to be moving towards easing strikes against each other, although such pledges remain fluid.

“Market sentiment is likely to stay cautious ahead of the US consumer price index (CPI) release tomorrow.

“In light of the ongoing war and its impact on fuel prices, amid the strong non-farm payrolls (NFP) outturn last week, the Federal Reserve is likely to maintain its restrictive monetary policy stance,” he told Bernama.

The ringgit traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. 

It appreciated against the British pound to 5.4219/4372 from 5.4249/4309 and gained against the Japanese yen to 2.5385/5459 from 2.5445/5475, but slid against the euro to 4.6879/7011 from 4.6867/6919 at yesterday’s close.

The local currency was also higher against regional peers.

It improved versus the Singapore dollar to 3.1548/1639 from 3.1577/1614, was up against the Thai baht at 12.3639/4049 from 12.3942/4128, strengthened against the Philippine peso to 6.59/6.61 from 6.60/6.61, and rose against the Indonesian rupiah to 223.5/224.3.2 versus 223.8/224.2 on Monday. — Bernama