Ringgit Recovers from 2-Month Lows

The Malaysian ringgit rose more than 1% to around 3.98 per USD, recovering from two-month lows as global risk sentiment improved and the US dollar broadly weakened after US President Trump decided to delay a potential strike on Iran by two weeks. The move followed a US–Iran agreement to pause hostilities, with Washington agreeing to refrain from military action in exchange for Tehran’s commitment to restore safe maritime flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route. The conflict, which erupted in late February, has escalated into a broader regional confrontation, unsettling global markets and driving up oil prices. However, the impact on the ringgit was cushioned by Malaysia’s status as a net energy exporter, alongside steady inflows into manufacturing and data-centre investments. Bank Negara Malaysia’s steady policy stance also added support, reinforcing a growth-supportive outlook amid contained inflation and resilient domestic economic momentum.

The Malaysian ringgit strengthened to around 3.97 per dollar, hitting its highest level since June 2018, driven by optimism over the country’s role in the artificial intelligence supply chain and a solid growth outlook. Malaysia’s economic momentum is expected to remain firm this year, supported by resilient domestic demand and robust tourism prospects. Rising tech exports and the rapid expansion of the data-center sector are also attracting fresh foreign investment, reinforcing the country’s medium-term prospects. Meanwhile, expectations that Bank Negara Malaysia will keep rates unchanged for an extended period, alongside anticipated Federal Reserve easing, may narrow the US–Malaysia rate gap and further support the ringgit’s outperformance against regional peers. The currency has already exceeded analysts’ first-quarter projections, making it Asia’s top-performing currency so far in January.

The Malaysian ringgit firmed toward 4.13 per dollar on Thursday, marking its eighth straight session of gains amid strong economic momentum and improving investor sentiment. Malaysia’s economy grew 5.2% yoy in Q3 2025, accelerating from 4.4% in Q2 and posting its fastest growth in a year, according to flash data. Optimism was further lifted by easing tension between the US and China, as both are Malaysia’s top export markets, and renewed foreign appetite for local assets. Meantime, Bank Negara’s decision to hold rates steady last week signaled confidence in the economy despite the impact of rising U.S. tariffs. Foreign investors have snapped up nearly MYR 16.52 billion in Malaysian bonds year-to-date, Bloomberg News said, supporting the currency’s stability, which is now Asia’s top performer with an 8% gain. Meanwhile, the US dollar index held around 99.5 after President Trump signed a short-term funding bill, officially ending the longest government shutdown in American history.