KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 — The ringgit closed lower against the US dollar today as the greenback strengthened ahead of a possible interest rate cut this month by the US Federal Reserve (Fed), said a dealer.

At 6pm, the local note stood at 4.1100/1130 against the US dollar from 4.1070/1100 at today’s close.

It was reported that the release of the US retail sales data for June and a speech by Fed chief Jerome Powell later today may likely influence the next move for the US dollar.

Meanwhile, the local note was traded mostly higher against other major currencies.

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It rose versus the British pound to 5.1161/1211 from 5.1580/1634 yesterday, appreciated against the euro to 4.6155/6205 from 4.6319/6365, and strengthened against the Singapore dollar to 3.0276/0303 from yesterday’s close of 3.0285/03191.

However, the ringgit eased against the yen to 3.8087/8119 from 3.8074/8112. — Bernama