Kuala lumpur: The ringgit concluded Monday's trading session on a lower note against the US dollar, as the local currency faced a lack of supportive factors ahead of the upcoming release of significant US economic data. At the close of the day, the ringgit depreciated to 4.1980/2025 compared to last Friday's closing rate of 4.1860/1930.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the US dollar was observed near a three-month high as investors anticipated several US economic data releases scheduled for this week. These reports are expected to provide insight into the current condition of the US economy and could potentially influence a change in the Federal Reserve's current monetary policy approach. Key data to be released include the S and P Global US Manufacturing and US ISM Manufacturing figures, along with the month-on-month export and import statistics set for tomorrow's release.

Dr. Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, chief economist at Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd, indicated that the US ISM Manufacturing Index is predicted to be at 49.4 points for October, slightly up from 49.1 points in September. He noted that the index has remained below the 50-point threshold, reflecting cautious sentiment among manufacturers since the imposition of the Liberation Day tariff measures by President Donald Trump's administration in early April.

In the broader currency market, the ringgit also showed a downward trend against major currencies. It fell against the yen to 2.7230/7261 from 2.7162/7210 at Friday's close, and weakened against the British pound to 5.5099/5158 from 5.5025/5117. However, it gained ground against the euro, rising to 4.8344/8396 from 4.8453/8534.

The ringgit's performance against ASEAN currencies was mixed. It decreased against the Singapore dollar to 3.2206/2243 from 3.2185/2241 and was lower against the Philippine peso at 7.14/7.15 from 7.12/7.14. On the other hand, it appreciated against the Thai baht to 12.9285/9483 from 12.9429/9702 and remained stable against the Indonesian rupiah at 251.7/252.1 compared to 251.7/252.2 on the previous Friday.