Most Asian currencies and equities strengthened on Tuesday, with the Malaysian ringgit hovering at more than a four-month high, as cooling US inflation bolstered bets the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates soon. The ringgit, the worst performing currency in the region so far, appreciated 0.3% against the dollar and maintained the mid-August high it touched on Friday. The South Korean won advanced 0.7%. Stocks in Thailand, India and South Korea gained between 0.1% and 0.5%. Investors were still digesting data released on Friday that showed US prices fell in November for the first time in more than 3-1/2 years, ... (full story)