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Trading USD/MYR

Written By

James Barra

Written By

James Barra

James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.

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Edited By

Jemma Grist

Edited By

Jemma Grist

Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.

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Fact Checked By

William Berg

Fact Checked By

William Berg

William contributes to several investment websites, leveraging his experience as a consultant for IPOs in the Nordic market and background providing localization for forex trading software. William has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a long row of financial publications.

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Updated

Sep 14, 2024

Although the USD/MYR is not traded in significant volumes, the nature of the pair does provide investing opportunities. The US Dollar is considered the global reserve currency and, coupled with the Malaysian Ringgit, creates an exotic forex pair with interesting market dynamics.

This guide will discuss the history of the USD/MYR, price influences, exchange rate historical data, investing outlooks, live charts, and more. We also list the best FX brokers in 2024 below.

Chart

Breaking Down ‘USD/MYR’

The US Dollar (USD) is the currency of the United States of America. Its stability is impacted by the policies of the US Federal Reserve (Fed). Today, the USD is considered the global reserve currency, settling the majority of international transactions. Many countries also choose to peg their currencies to the Dollar.

The Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) is the authorized currency of Malaysia, licensed by the Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia, BNM).

The exchange rate is the buy or sell price of the USD into MYR. For example, 1 USD to MYR (1.2) means to buy 1 US Dollar, you will pay 2 Malaysian Ringgit.

The all-time high for the pair was in January 1998 at 4.77, while the all-time low was established in September 1978 at 2.10.

History Of The USD

The US Dollar was officially adopted as the United States currency in 1785. The exchange rate was set against the value of gold until 1973. As gold stocks started to deplete due to banks using Dollar to gold conversions, the value of the currency fell. This signaled the end of the US peg for many countries at that time.

After the US Dollar’s value was detached from gold, the Federal Reserve was appointed to maintain the value of the currency and the exchange rate, doing so with a low, stable rate of inflation.

US Economy

The United States is the world’s second-largest economy after China, accounting for over 16.8% of global output. The country is the single largest importer and exporter of goods and services. US monetary policy plays a major role in financial conditions across the world due to the USD being the most widely used currency. As a result, developments can impact its strength against other currencies, such as the Ringgit. With this in mind, USD/MYR traders should keep an eye on GDP data, employment, interest rates, and US political announcements, which can all trigger shifts in the forex markets.

History Of The MYR

The Malaysian Dollar substituted the British Borneo Dollar and the Malaya in 1967. It was called the Malaysian Ringgit in 1975 and is the country’s official currency. With that said, it is still sometimes known as the Malaysian Dollar.

After the Asian financial crisis in the 1990s, the public Bank of Malaysia chose to peg the MYR to the USD at a conversion rate of 3.8 to 1 until 2005. The MYR is now free-floating, but offshore trading is limited.

Malaysian Economy

Malaysia has diversified its economy from reliance on agriculture to one that supports manufacturing. Accounting for close to 36% of the nation’s exports are electronic integrated circuits and microassemblies. And while income equality is still prevalent in Malaysia, the country is making progress.

Investors should keep a close eye on economic reports, especially manufacturing data on the production of electricals, plus petroleum and palm oil, for an indication as to where the price of the MYR is heading.

Value Of The MYR

The value of the MYR is prone to changes in global emerging markets and the political stability in Malaysia. Other factors include:

• Interest rates – News shows the Bank of Negara Malaysia is set to hold interest rates at 2.2% and 3.2% for 2022.
• Commodities – The country is an exporter of gas and oil, and MYR has a positive correlation with commodities
• Inflation – The Central Bank of Malaysia stabilizes rates. Even though inflation has grown to 2.2% in 2022, it is still lower when compared to other countries.

Value Of The USD

Factors influencing the value of the US Dollar include:

• Dow Jones stock market – Positive correlation between the index and the USD value since the 1990s
• US Treasury – Responsible for budget decisions. Any announcements or statements can impact the value of the USD
• Reserve status – The USD is used by nations across the globe to purchase commodities creating an artificial demand
• Monetary policy – As the USD is a fiat currency and not backed by a commodity, the creation of money can depreciate the value, therefore impacting the USD/MYR exchange rate

Managing Price Movements

Supply and demand for currencies, such as the USD/MYR, can be heavily influenced by monetary policies set by respective central banks, plus other factors such as market sentiment or inflation. Other aspects include GDP growth rates, interest rates, inflation, and employment rates. Brokers and financial data sources integrate USD/MYR real-time spot rates, daily forex live charts, and the latest news bulletins to help you understand these.

Traders can also use technical analysis for USD to MYR forecast support. This includes extensive price history charts, such as 5, 10, 20, or 30 years data views. It is also good to utilize price trend statistics before trading the forex pair. Reference signals and indicator rates for entry and exit points of a trade can be leveraged, with candlestick charts commonly used for this.

Pros Of Trading USD/MYR

What makes the currencies a trading interest in today’s financial markets?

• Prevalence – The USD is the most traded currency and the world’s leading reserve currency
• Plenty of financial information available – Including USD to MYR exchange rate history by date, predictions, and live currency converters
• Volatility – The value of the Malaysian Ringgit is prone to influences in emerging global markets and political events in Malaysia
• Commodities correlation – USD/MYR forecasts in 2022, for example, suggested a positive economic outlook for Malaysia, thanks to strong crude oil and energy prices

Risks Of Trading USD/MYR

There are a few points to consider before investing in the USD versus MYR:

• Volume – As an exotic pair, the USD v MYR sees lower trading volumes compared to major currencies today, and less liquidity could mean reduced profit potential
• Leverage – The pair’s volatility can lead to increased profits when using leverage. However, it can also create significant losses. Implementing risk management forecasting tools when reviewing USD to MYR conversions and trading views for yesterday, last week, this week, and next week can help
• Trading – MYR is a somewhat restricted currency; funds cannot be transferred out of Malaysia, though online forex trading is allowed

US Dollar Index

The US Dollar Index (USDX) is a measure of the value of the USD in relation to other key foreign currencies, including the Euro. The index fluctuates in response to macroeconomic factors impacting the supply and demand of the Dollar and price movements of the other foreign currencies.

The outlook of the USDX can help paint a picture of the relative strength of the USD, which can, in turn, inform investment decisions when trading pairs related to the Dollar, such as the USD/MYR.

USD/MYR & Exotic Pairs

Exotic pairs are those that include one major currency and one currency from an emerging or developing market, such as the USD/MYR. They make up a much smaller share of the total forex market. Major currencies such as the USD are associated with stable economies. Exotic currencies such as the MYR can be heavily influenced by political and economic instability. Exotic currencies are usually traded at low volumes and can be very volatile. Importantly, the lack of liquidity can often lead to wider spreads at brokers.

Final Word On Trading USD/MYR

There are many opportunities to start trading the USD/MYR forex pair. There is ample financial data and resources available such as USD vs. MYR exchange price charts and forecasts. XE, TradingView, or X-rates are good options for currency data and graphs. Understanding the influences on the individual economies and finding a broker that provides USD/MYR trading tools such as live streaming rates and historical data is also key.

But while the exotic pair does offer profit potential, it is best suited to experienced investors. Beginners may want to start off trading the EUR/USD, which is easier to track and find data on.

FAQs

How Much Is 1 USD To MYR?

The exchange rate value of 1 USD into MYR is constantly moving. Use live charts for the latest buying and selling rates, daily forecasts, or trading history to understand previous price trends.

Which Statutory Body Regulates The Malaysian Ringgit For USD To MYR Investing?

The Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia) is the country’s financial regulator. Commercial banks of Malaysia include Public Bank Berhad, CIMB, and Maybank.

What Is The USD Versus MYR In The Currency Pair?

The exchange rate is the price of the USD per MYR. You can use a selling rate of 1.2 Dollar to MYR to help you understand this concept. The bid-ask is 1 USD to 2 MYR so to buy 1 US Dollar you will pay 2 Malaysian Ringgit.

What Is A USD/MYR Basis Swap?

A USD/MYR basis swap is an agreement between two parties exchanging interest payments based on two floating rates, subject to swap points.

What Is USD/MYR Forward Rates?

Forex forward rates are exchange rates ‘locked in’ for the buying or selling of pairs such as USD to MYR at a later date. For example, investing now for six months ahead at the current forward rate.