The Malaysian ringgit opened firmer, nearing an eight-year peak against a weaker US dollar, with market optimism building ahead of the final Q4 2025 GDP data.

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened firmer against the US dollar on Friday, hovering near its strongest level in almost eight years, as persistent weakness in the greenback and improving domestic economic prospects lifted sentiment towards the local currency.

At 8 am, the ringgit rose to 3.8945/9110 against the US dollar from Thursday’s close of 3.8995/9060. It last traded near that level on April 23, 2018, at 3.8965/8995.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ringgit is likely to remain supported as traders and investors await the final reading of fourth-quarter 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) growth, to be released later today.

“There is growing optimism that fourth-quarter 2025 growth could exceed the advance estimate of 5.7 per cent, with the ringgit appearing to establish a new base amid encouraging domestic data and continued weakness in the US dollar.

“The RM3.90 level is seen as a psychological barrier, while technical indicators suggest immediate support at RM3.87. Barring any major external shocks, the ringgit is expected to maintain its positive momentum against the greenback,” he told Bernama.

At the opening, the ringgit traded higher against a basket of major currencies.

It edged up against the Japanese yen to 2.5494/5604 from 2.5499/5543 at Thursday’s close, strengthened against the euro to 4.6224/6420 from 4.6346/6423, and appreciated versus the British pound to 5.3035/3260 from 5.3220/3309.

The local currency also firmed against its ASEAN peers.

It improved against the Indonesian rupiah to 231.4/232.5 from 231.7/232.2, advanced against the Singapore dollar to 3.0850/0986 from 3.0931/0985, rose against the Thai baht to 12.5257/5885 from 12.5998/6273, and was higher versus the Philippine peso at 6.70/6.73 from 6.71/6.72.

 The Sun Malaysia