The ringgit opened higher against most major currencies, but lower against the US dollar as investors remained cautious following the escalating conflict tensions in the Middle East that dampened hopes for a peace deal between the US and Iran.
At 10:10am, the ringgit was trading at 3.9140, down 0.18% since it opened early Friday in the Asian session
Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, Chief Economist of Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd, said the US Dollar Index (DXY) was flat at around 98 points as market participants awaited the latest US jobs data.
He also added that the ringgit rose 0.42 per cent against the US dollar to RM3.9093 at yesterday's close after Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) maintained the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent.
Strong economic fundamentals and sound economic policies will help the country maintain its growth momentum.
A stable OPR is expected to have a positive impact on the ringgit.
Therefore, the local currency is expected to remain at RM3.90 against the US dollar today.
In the opening session, the ringgit traded higher against a basket of major currencies.
The ringgit strengthened against the euro to 4.5872/5989 from 4.5978/6031 at Thursday's close, rose against the pound to 5.3004/3140 from 5.3202/3263, and rose against the Japanese yen to 2.4925/4990 from 2.4982/5013 previously.
Local currencies also mostly appreciated against regional currencies.
The ringgit rose against the Singapore dollar to 3.0807/0890 from 3.0861/0901 at Thursday's close and strengthened against the Thai baht to 12.1098/1479 from 12.1486/1687 previously.
The ringgit traded almost flat against the Indonesian rupiah at 225.5/226.2 from 225.4/225 previously, and was little changed against the Philippine peso to 6.47/4/6.49 from 6.46/6.48 previously.
