The ringgit is expected to trade between 4.4275 and 4.4475 against the US dollar next week, with a slight upside bias, driven by expectations of a US interest rate cut in December. The US Federal Reserve's policy meeting on December 17-18, along with US jobs data due on December 6, will be key factors influencing the dollar’s movement.

Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management noted that predicting the US dollar's direction is challenging, especially amid US President-elect Donald Trump's unpredictable actions. A weaker jobs report could support the outlook for a Fed rate cut, while a strong report could bolster the dollar.

This week, the ringgit strengthened on improved sentiment from declining US bond yields and regional currency gains but faced midweek pressure from concerns over potential US tariffs. The local currency ended the week stronger at 4.4425/4495 against the US dollar, but weakened against other major currencies like the euro, British pound, and Japanese yen. It traded mixed against ASEAN currencies, rising against the Indonesian rupiah but falling against the Singapore dollar and Thai baht.