Kuala lumpur: The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar and major currencies on Thursday, buoyed by optimism that geopolitical tensions may be easing, even as the broader market tone remains cautious. At 8 am, the local currency appreciated to 4.0170/0370 against the greenback, compared to yesterday's close of 4.0240/0295. According to BERNAMA News Agency, IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist, Mohd Sedek Jantan, noted that attention is now focused on United States President Donald Trump, who is expected to address the nation at 9 am Malaysian time. The anticipation is that he will signal a de-escalation of the conflict in West Asia. "Markets will be looking for clarity on de-escalation terms, and most critically, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which remains central to global energy flows and overall market," he told Bernama. Mohd Sedek also remarked that a softer dollar, coupled with firm gold prices, indicates that investors still prefer safe-haven assets over a complete return to risk, suggesting that market confidence is tentative rather than decisive. Meanwhile, the ringgit showed gains against a basket of major currencies. It strengthened against the British pound to 5.3430/3696 from 5.3507/3580 at Wednesday's close, improved against the Japanese yen to 2.5309/5436 compared with 2.5358/5394 at the previous close, and gained vis-à-vis the euro to 4.6553/6785 from 4.6666/6730. In addition, the local currency traded mostly higher against ASEAN currencies. It rose against the Singapore dollar to 3.1305/1465 from 3.1369/1414 at Wednesday's close, edged up against the Philippine peso to 6.67/6.71 from 6.68/6.69, and climbed against the Indonesian rupiah to 236.5/237.8 from 236.9/237.3. However, the ringgit experienced a slight decline against the Thai baht, sliding to 12.3126/3823 from yesterday's closing of 12.2726/2926.