The ringgit traded stronger in early trade as investors assessed the impact of Washington's revised tariffs on Malaysian imports and the outcome of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.
At 10.20am, the ringgit was at 4.2770, down 0.40% against the US dollar from its close of 4.2602 on Thursday.
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Chief Economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the tariff revision, reducing the US rate on Malaysian goods to 19%, could boost sentiment and provide support to the ringgit.
He added that the US dollar remained strong after the FOMC signaled a tight stance to curb inflation.
The US Dollar Index (DXY) rose 0.15% to 99.968 points as the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index rose to 2.6% in June.
Stronger-than-expected inflation data suggested the Federal Reserve may keep its policy rate unchanged in September, supporting demand for the US dollar and capping gains in the ringgit.
Meanwhile, the ringgit rose against the Japanese yen to 2.8277/8411 from 2.8443/8498, strengthened against the British pound to 5.6328/6592 from 5.6426/6532, and rose against the euro at 4.8711/8939 from 4.8766/8857.
Regionally, the ringgit was little changed against the Philippine peso at 7.31/7.35 and unchanged against the Indonesian rupiah at 259.1/260.5. It edged higher against the Thai baht at 13.0169/0876 from 13.0448/0753.
