Malaysia, Singapore currencies rise on tight policies before Jackson Hole

TOKYO -- Malaysia and Singapore's currencies have strengthened to 18-month highs against the dollar over the past couple of months due to their tighter central-banking policies.

The two currencies' rise stood out as most Asian currencies generally improved performance against the dollar, as the U.S. Federal Reserve contemplates a rate cut. Analysts and investors will be looking for signs of easing in Chair Jerome Powell's speech at the central bank's economic policy symposium on Aug. 22-24 at Jackson Hole, Wyoming.