KUALA LUMPUR, 27 February 2026 — The Malaysian ringgit weakened against the US dollar on Friday as global uncertainty over geopolitical tensions and potential shifts in US tariff policy unsettled investor sentiment, resulting in a softer performance for the local currency.
At the close of trading, the ringgit eased to around 3.8910/8960 against the greenback from the prior day’s levels, reflecting a cautious mood in foreign exchange markets. Traders cited ongoing geopolitical risks in the Middle East and concerns over possible tariff actions by the United States as key factors weighing on risk assets, including emerging market currencies such as the ringgit.
Despite the slide versus the US dollar, the ringgit showed resilience against some major ASEAN currencies, with modest gains recorded in the local note’s comparative value against regional peers.
Broker views suggest that market participants remain watchful, balancing downside risks from external political and trade developments with Malaysia’s relatively stable macroeconomic backdrop. Investors are also tracking broader Asian currency movements, where shifting risk appetite and safe-haven demand for the US dollar have driven cross-border flows.
Looking ahead, analysts expect the ringgit’s near-term direction to be influenced by global policy shifts, including changes in trade tariffs and developments in geopolitical hotspots, as well as domestic economic data and interest rate expectations.
