SINGAPORE: Emerging market currencies inched up on Monday amid uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's health, while South Africa's rand outperformed as factory activity neared growth territory. The rand jumped more than 0.6%, extending gains into a sixth session, as a survey of the country's private sector activity showed a softer decline in September on easing lockdown restrictions. The reading was just a few points shy of a level that indicates growth in the sector.

South African stocks were a touch higher, mirroring mild gains across developing world equities. Trump's positive test for Covid-19 last week had caused some pullback in risk appetite as investors fretted over how it could affect the upcoming US presidential elections. Central European stocks and currencies rose slightly.

Turkey's lira rose 0.4%, while stocks added 0.8% as consumer price inflation edged down to a lower-than-forecast 11.75% year-on-year in September, reflecting some progress in the country's bid to combat runaway inflation.