The US dollar softened on Thursday.

Oil prices slid on Thursday, extending a decline of more than 2 per cent in the previous trading session.

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The ringgit opened slightly higher on Wednesday ahead of the US labour market data this week, which will be an important input for the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) members when they meet on Sept 16 and 17.

The ringgit opened slightly firmer against the US dollar on Thursday ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decision on the overnight policy rate (OPR), with markets widely expecting the central bank to leave the rate unchanged at 2.75 per cent.

SINGAPORT: Japanese rubber futures rose on Wednesday, buoyed by increased downstream demand as companies replenish inventories and concerns over heavy rains in top producer Thailand.

The official purchasing managers’ index rose from 49.9 points in July to 50 points.

US manufacturers said that the sweeping import duties were making it difficult to manufacture goods in the US.