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THE ringgit fell against the U.S. dollar at Tuesday’s market open, as firmer-than-expected US economic indicators bolstered the greenback, yet it gained ground against other major currencies.
At 8am, the local currency was quoted at 3.9540/3.9650 against the US dollar, down from 3.9440/3.9500 recorded last Friday.
The decline followed the release of the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), which rose to 52.6 in January from 47.9 in December 2025.
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the US Dollar Index (DXY) strengthened after the ISM manufacturing data suggested growing optimism among American companies, despite some lingering caution.
“On that note, the ringgit could experience a weaker trajectory today,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the ringgit performed better against a basket of other major currencies. It appreciated against the euro to 4.6649/4.6779 from 4.6957/4.7029 at last Friday’s close, rose versus the Japanese yen to 2.5426/2.5498 from 2.5562/2.5603, and strengthened against the British pound to 5.4059/5.4209 from 5.4163/5.4245.
Conversely, the ringgit opened lower against regional currencies. It declined against the Singapore dollar to 3.1092/3.1184 from 3.1077/3.1127, dropped versus the Thai baht to 12.5488/12.5941 from 12.5250/12.5544, fell against the Philippine peso to 6.71/6.73 from 6.69/6.71, and retreated versus the Indonesian rupiah to 235.3/236.1 from 234.9/235.4 last Friday.
The market was closed on Monday in observance of Thaipusam and Federal Territory public holidays. - February 3, 2026