EMERGING MARKETS-Malaysia's ringgit leads Asian FX losses ahead of BNM rate decision

By Roushni Nair

May 8 (Reuters) - The Malaysian ringgit led losses across muted Asian currencies on Thursday ahead of the central bank's expected rate pause, while the greenback stabilised after the U.S. Federal Reserve maintained its benchmark interest rate.

The ringgit MYR= touched its lowest level since May 2, weakening 0.7% to 4.266 per dollar, extending its decline to a third consecutive session. The Philippine peso PHP= and South Korean won KRW=KFTC each retreated 0.2%.

The dollar index =USD, which measures the currency against six major counterparts, edged down 0.2% but remained near Wednesday's levels when a three-day slide ended with its strongest daily performance in two weeks. USD/

"We view that the investors' risk appetite will improve in the near future as tariff negotiations will be proceeding successfully, which may cause Asian currencies to rise against USD," said Ryota Abe, an economist at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.

As expected, the Fed maintained rates on Wednesday, but Chair Jerome Powell cautioned that economic growth remained uncertain through persistent trade tensions and inflation risks.

Regional equities largely stabilised, buoyed by optimism over China's planned stimulus measures and the start of high-level U.S.-China trade talks on Saturday.

Stocks in Seoul .KS11, Shanghai .SSEC, Taipei .TWII advanced over 0.3% each, while those in Jakarta .JKSE and Manila .PSI traded flat.

Asian currencies have seen dramatic volatility in recent days, with the Taiwan dollar TWD=TP posting a historic 6% two-day surge against the greenback before steadying in the last two sessions. The unit was last trading flat.

Taiwan's dollar-heavy, unhedged market saw a sudden capital influx, that triggered a record two-day rally on Friday.

With the surge coinciding with the end of U.S.-Taiwan trade talks, investors speculated on the possibility of an agreement to weaken the greenback in return for trade concessions - a notion that has been denied vigorously by Taiwan's central bank and president.

Bank Negara Malaysia is poised to maintain rates at Thursday's policy meeting, its first since U.S. President Donald Trump announced his sweeping tariffs. Analysts do not expect the Malaysian central bank to lower rates until later this year even with inflation at a four-year low and economic momentum slowing.

BNM's approach stands in contrast with peers in Indonesia, Korea, Thailand and the Philippines, which have already eased rates more than once to stimulate their economies.

Despite Thursday's retreat, the ringgit remains among Asia's stand-out performers with a nearly 5% gain this year.

The U.S. dollar index has lost more than 8% so far in 2025.

The Indian rupee INR=IN strengthened 0.3% after the currency posted its steepest one-day percentage decline in nearly a month following India's missile strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Wednesday.

Investors await Taiwan's trade figures later in the day and China's export data on Friday for insights into how tariffs are reshaping Asia's economic landscape.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Philippines Q1 GDP grows 5.4% y/y, below expectations

South Korea to monitor financial, forex markets