South Africa's rand firms as trade surplus jumps, stocks up

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa's rand raced to a seven-week high against the dollar on Tuesday bolstered by data showing a better than expected trade surplus in June, while stocks ended higher.

At 1553 GMT, the rand traded at 13.0900 per dollar, 0.49 percent firmer than its close on Monday and its strongest level since June 11, according to Thomson Reuters data.

South Africa's trade surplus widened more than expected to 12 billion rand ($916 million) in June as exports in precious, base metal and vehicle parts jumped, easing pressure on the economy.

Analysts said the large surplus was a sign the current account was narrowing, which would lessen the impact of any reversal of portfolio flows.

"Although economic growth has been sluggish with the unemployment rate rising to 27.2 percent, the rand showed its resilience as it continues its journey down to the 13.00 mark," said Bianca Botes, a corporate treasury manager at Peregrine Treasury Solutions.

"As global trade tensions ease and investors once again seek yield in emerging markets, the rand is enjoying some respite for the time being."

The rand has rallied in the past month to become one of the top performing emerging market currencies, due mainly to positive turn in sentiment, but remains at risk to offshore events, particularly the ongoing trade tiff between the United States and China.

In fixed income, the yield for the benchmark paper due in 2026 was flat at 8.59 percent.

On the bourse, shares rose in line with European markets.

The blue-chip Top-40 index closed up 0.17 percent at 51,315 points, while the broader All-Share index ended 0.21 percent higher to 57,432 points.

"Commodity shares led the upward momentum. There is stability in the markets," said FFO Securities portfolio manager Wilmar Buys.

Among the top gainers, Johannesburg-listed shares in Glencore gained 3.22 percent to 57.76 rand, Anglo American Platinum Ltd advanced 3.05 percent to 404.50 rand and diversified miner Sibanye-Stillwater rose 1.65 percent to 8 rand.