Ringgit lower against US$ Friday, lowest in 19 years

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The local unit declined against the greenback to 4.4580/4700 from 4.4450/4550 Thursday. This was lower than the 4.4602 against the US dollar during the Asian financial crisis in 1997/1998

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit was traded lower Friday against the US dollar, as the greenback rallied on expectations of a hike in US interest rates next month, dealers said.

The local unit declined against the greenback to 4.4580/4700 from  4.4450/4550 Thursday.

This was lower than the 4.4602 against the US dollar during the Asian financial crisis in 1997/1998.

Meanwhile, the ringgit was lower against other major currencies but remained almost unchanged against the Singapore dollar.

The local unit was almost flat against the Singapore dollar at 3.1090/1191 from 3.1093/1167.

It strengthened against the yen to 3.9174/9283 from 3.9389/9481 Thursday.

The ringgit was lower against the euro at 4.7023/7154 from 4.6966/6094 and weaker against the British pound at 5.5475/5643 from 5.5354/5500.

The following table shows rates for Asian currencies against the dollar at 0131 GMT(0931 Malaysian time Friday).
   
    CURRENCIES VS U.S. DOLLAR
  Currency                Latest bid   Previous day  Pct Move
  Japan yen                   113.77         113.34     -0.38
  Sing dlr                    1.4328         1.4320     -0.06
  Taiwan dlr                  31.950         31.927     -0.07
  Korean won                 1180.23        1180.10     -0.01
  Baht                         35.69          35.65     -0.10
  Peso                        49.975         49.980     +0.01
  Rupiah                       13565          13555     -0.07
  Rupee                        68.73          68.73      0.00
  Ringgit                     4.4630         4.4450     -0.40
  Yuan                        6.9204         6.9180     -0.03
                                                           
  Change so far in 2016                                    
  Currency                Latest bid  End prev year  Pct Move
  Japan yen                   113.77         120.30     +5.74
  Sing dlr                    1.4328         1.4177     -1.05
  Taiwan dlr                  31.950         33.066     +3.49
  Korean won                 1180.23        1172.50     -0.65
  Baht                         35.69          36.00     +0.87
  Peso                         49.98          47.06     -5.83
  Rupiah                       13565          13785     +1.62
  Rupee                        68.73          66.15     -3.75
  Ringgit                     4.4630         4.2935     -3.80
  Yuan                        6.9204         6.4936     -6.17