The ringgit closed lower today on upbeat US economic data, amidst softer trade figures from Asia’s top export countries. — Reuters pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 — The ringgit closed lower today on upbeat US economic data, amidst softer trade figures from Asia’s top export countries.
As at 6pm, the ringgit was traded at 4.1410/1440 versus the greenback compared with 4.1380/1420 on Friday.
A dealer said US data on Friday showed that the world’s largest economy had maintained a moderate pace of growth despite the volatility brought about by tensions with China.
“Weaker exports data from Thailand and Asia’s fourth-largest economy, Korea, knocked regional sentiment further,” he said.
Thailand’s November exports dropped 7.4 per cent year-on-year while Korea’s exports during the December 1-20 period slid two per cent in value from the same period a year earlier.
Meanwhile, the ringgit was mixed against a basket of major currencies.
It fell against the Singapore dollar to 3.0536/0569 from 3.0518/0559 on Friday and weakened against the Japanese yen to 3.7855/7893 from 3.7842/7889.
The local unit appreciated against the British pound to 5.3866/3922 from 5.3955/3024 and strengthened against the euro to 4.5891/5940 from 4.6010/6067 previously. — Bernama