The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar early this morning, following investor concerns over the Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate decision next month.
At 10:30 am, the ringgit was at 4.1490, strengthening by 0.26% against the US dollar since opening early Wednesday in the Asian session.
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Chief Economist, Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid explained that the US Dollar Index (DXY) fell 0.04% to 99.550 points, following the increasing uncertainty over the Fed's interest rate decision next month.
He also noted that the latest data on the labour market after the 41-day US government shutdown showed a continued weaker trajectory.
Meanwhile, Initial Jobless Claims (IJC) rose to 232,000, exceeding the consensus estimate of 223,000 and the previous week's level of 219,000.
At the open, the ringgit was higher against a basket of major currencies.
It rose against the yen to 2.6726/6815 from 2.6800/6838, gained against the euro to 4.8138/8294 from 4.8216/8280 and rose against the British pound to 5.4652/4843719 from 5.4652/4843719 previously.
The ringgit was also mixed against ASEAN currencies.
It strengthened against the Indonesian rupiah to 248.1/249.0 from 248.3/248.7 yesterday, and rose against the Philippine peso to 7.04/7.07 from 7.05/7.06 previously.
However, it weakened against the Thai baht to 12.8330/8838 from 12.8252/8481 yesterday, and fell slightly against the Singapore dollar to 3.1940/2049 from 3.1938/1982 previously.
