The Malaysian ringgit opened stronger against the US dollar on Friday, according to The Star, which attributed the move to easing crude oil prices. The report links the currency's gain to reduced concern over oil supply disruptions from West Asia.
BusinessToday Malaysia also reported the ringgit's rise, describing the same cooling of West Asian oil fears as a driver. The Star's headline and BusinessToday's coverage point to the same session and the same cause.
The currency's direction has been uneven across recent sessions. Bernama reported that the ringgit had ended lower against the US dollar in an earlier session as investors waited for the Federal Reserve's FOMC decision. Freemalaysiatoday.com reported a separate session in which the ringgit slipped against the US dollar but was mostly higher against major currencies.
Attention is now on Malaysian interest rate expectations. KLSE Screener reported that bets on an increase in the Overnight Policy Rate rose following the Fed's move. That coverage does not specify what the Fed decided or the size of any expected OPR change.
The Star's Friday report does not include the ringgit's opening level, its percentage change, or the specific oil price figures behind the move. It also does not name the West Asian developments involved.
What to watch next: whether the ringgit holds its opening gains through Friday's session, and whether Bank Negara Malaysia signals any change to the Overnight Policy Rate.