Ringgit opens higher after US-China trade deal signing

Ringgit opens higher after US-China trade deal signing

Local note trades higher against a basket of major currencies.

KUALA LUMPUR:
The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar today on rising optimism among traders after US President Donald Trump inked the long-awaited “phase one” trade deal with China.

As at 9am, the ringgit was at 4.0630/0670 against the US dollar from 4.0740/0770 at yesterday’s close.

Public Investment Bank in a note said the trade pact with China signalled a truce in the dispute over import tariffs which has unsettled markets worldwide and slowed economic growth.

AxiTrader chief Asia market strategist Stephen Innes said the deal was a significant step in ending the frictions that have cast a dark cloud over global economic growth.

“The margin should be favourable for risk markets,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ringgit traded higher against a basket of major currencies, except for the British pound.

The ringgit improved to 3.6957/7003 from 3.7073/7111 against the Japanese yen and increased to 3.0179/0224 against the Singapore dollar from yesterday’s close of 3.0232/0256.

The local note decreased against the British pound to 5.2990/3046 from 5.2921/2968 but strengthened against the euro at 4.5315/5376 from yesterday’s 4.5335/5373.

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