KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- The ringgit ended lower against the US dollar today, in line with most other emerging currencies as more investors shifted towards the safe-haven currencies, dealers said.

       At 6 pm, the local note was lower at 4.2380/2420 versus the greenback compared with 4.2270/2300 at Monday's close.

       The market was closed yesterday in conjunction with the Awal Muharram public holiday.

       A dealer said there was growing concerns among investors after the US job data released recently showed strong wage gains, strengthening the case for a tighter monetary policy.

       "The worries over escalating COVID-19 cases locally continue to give negative sentiment to the market.

       "However, the steady benchmark Brent crude oil prices which stood at above US$70 per barrel, has halted the local note from dipping further," he told Bernama.

       At press time, the benchmark Brent crude oil rose 0.3% to US$70.84 per barrel.

       The Ministry of Health reported 20,780 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, the country’s second highest daily figure ever, just behind the 20,889 cases recorded on Aug 6 and bringing the cumulative total infections to 1,320,547 cases.

       Meanwhile, the local note was traded higher against a basket of major currencies.

       The ringgit rose against the Japanese yen to 3.8253/8292 from 3.8382/8413 at Monday’s close and appreciated vis-a-vis the euro to 4.9623/9670 from 4.9718/9753.

       It strengthened against the Singapore dollar to 3.1159/1191 from 3.1179/1206 and was higher against the British pound at 5.8539/8595 from 5.8717/8759 previously.