Kuala lumpur: The ringgit eased against the US dollar at the close on Wednesday, but remained steady, supported by improving business indicators across Asia, including Malaysia. At 6 pm, the local note eased to 3.9305/9345 against the greenback from Tuesday's close of 3.9295/9360.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid stated that purchasing managers' index (PMI) data showed that Asian economies, including Malaysia, have exhibited a positive trend, indicating improving business sentiment despite uncertainties over US tariff policies and heightened geopolitical risks. The United States announced it had shot down an Iranian drone amidst escalating Middle East tensions.

'The ongoing rewiring of global supply chains has made private firms increasingly resilient in the face of global uncertainties. This may have translated into improved business sentiment, as indicated by the PMI data,' Dr Mohd Afzanizam told Bernama.

At the close, the ringgit traded mostly lower against other major currencies. It depreciated vis- -vis the British pound to 5.3887/3942 from 5.3704/3793 and slipped against the euro to 4.6443/6490 from 4.6341/6417. However, it gained versus the Japanese yen to 2.5091/5118 from 2.5210/5253 at Tuesday's close.

The local note showed strength against ASEAN currencies. It was slightly higher vis- -vis the Singapore dollar at 3.0912/0946 from 3.0919/0973, strengthened versus the Thai baht to 12.4206/4391 from 12.4584/4845, firmed against the Indonesian rupiah to 234.2/234.6 from 234.5/235.0, and rose against the Philippine peso to 6.66/6.67 from 6.67/6.68 previously.