KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — The ringgit ended slightly higher against the greenback on Wednesday, supported by expectations that the United States Federal Reserve (US Fed) may hold off on raising interest rates next month following weaker-than-expected consumer sentiment data.
At 6pm, the ringgit edged up to 4.0785/0820 against the greenback from Tuesday’s close of 4.0790/0850.
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the ringgit, along with other Asian currencies, gained some momentum today as recent US data points suggested that the US Fed might skip a rate hike next month.
He added that weaker consumer sentiment could weigh on household spending, which accounts for about two-thirds of the US economy.
Market players will closely monitor the ADP employment and Personal Consumption Expenditures reports due later tonight.
“Based on the consensus estimates, the ADP employment, which measures the employment creation in the private sector, is expected to rise to 73,000 in September from 38,000 in the previous month, while PCE inflation is likely to be sustained at 3.7 per cent in August.
"Should weak job numbers and a lower inflation rate prevail, perhaps the US dollar could be experiencing further correction in the near term,” Afzanizam told Bernama.
At the close, the ringgit traded lower against a basket of major currencies.
It fell against the euro to 4.6324/6363 from 4.6235/6303 at Tuesday’s close, retreated vis-à-vis the British pound to 5.4162/4209 from 5.3937/4016, and lost against the Japanese yen to 2.5969/5993 from 2.5869/5909.
Against ASEAN currencies, the local note fell versus the Singapore dollar to 3.1943/1973 from 3.1885/1934 at yesterday’s close, eased against the Thai baht to 12.1521/1666 from 12.1402/1632, and dipped against the Indonesian rupiah to 227.9/228.2 from 226.8/227.2.
The ringgit was higher against the Philippine peso at 6.51/6.52 from 6.52/6.53 yesterday.
