The ringgit closed higher against the US dollar, supported by a slight increase in crude oil prices.

At 5pm, the local unit was traded at 4.1310/1380 against the greenback compared with yesterday’s 4.1600/1700.

The benchmark Brent crude oil price rose 13 cents to US$36.94 a barrel from US$36.62 a barrel.

A dealer said investors would now await for clue for direction ahead of the US job data which would be released on Friday.

“The job data would give some indication on timing of the interest rate hike by US Federal Reserve,” the dealer said.

The ringgit was also traded mostly higher against other major currencies.

It rose against the Singapore dollar to 2.9638/9706 from 2.9647/9733 yesterday, strengthened versus the yen to 3.6278/6352 from 3.6367/6464 and appreciated versus the euro to 4.4925/4009 from 4.5186/5311.

The local unit depreciated versus the British pound to 5.8074/8189 from 5.8007/8163 yesterday.

- Bernama