Kuala lumpur: The ringgit appreciated against most major and ASEAN currencies at Monday's close, although it declined against the US dollar. This fluctuation occurred amid rising Brent crude prices, as markets anticipated the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) and Bank of Japan (BOJ) meetings, said an analyst.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, at 6 pm, the local currency depreciated to 4.0735/0770 against the greenback from last Friday's close of 4.0685/0725. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid noted that Brent crude oil prices are currently hovering at around US$107 per barrel, which is adding to inflationary pressures as markets brace for the upcoming FOMC and BOJ interest rate decisions.

At the close, the ringgit strengthened against the euro to 4.7008/7049 from last Friday's 4.7178/7225, appreciated against the yen to 2.6355/6380 from 2.6400/6428, and inched up vis-a-vis the British pound to 5.4931/4978 from 5.4961/5015 previously. Against its ASEAN peers, the ringgit firmed against the Singapore dollar to 3.2055/2085 from 3.2091/2125, and advanced against the Thai baht to 12.2445/2598 from 12.3072/3241.

The local note also rose against the Indonesian rupiah to 230.5/230.8 from 231.0/231.3 last week, and ticked up vis-a-vis the Philippine peso to 6.48/6.49 from 6.49/6.50 previously. Dr Mohd Afzanizam commented that the inflationary bias would solidify the rate hike thesis this week, suggesting that Asian currencies including the ringgit will remain guarded in the near term.