KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — The ringgit closed higher against the US dollar on Friday, supported by Malaysia’s higher-than-expected advance GDP estimate for the third quarter of 2026 (3Q 2026).

At 6pm, the ringgit rose to 4.0795/0835 against the greenback from Thursday’s close of 4.0800/0835.

Earlier today, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), in its Advance GDP Estimates for 3Q 2026 report, said the economy expanded by 5.3 per cent in the third quarter, after registering 6.0 per cent growth in the preceding quarter.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam told Bernama that the latest announcement suggests that the Malaysian economy remains fairly resilient.