Markets

South African rand slightly weaker ahead of budget speech

Published February 21, 2018 Updated February 21, 2018 12:59pm

At 0655 GMT, the rand traded at 11.75 versus the dollar, 0.17 percent weaker from its overnight close in New York.

NKC African Economics expects the currency to trade in an 11.60-11.95/dollar range.

Investors are also focusing on an expected cabinet shake-up under new President Cyril Ramaphosa and the future of Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, who is due to deliver the budget speech in the afternoon.

Stocks opened little with the benchmark JSE-Top 40 index at 51,071.

In fixed income, government bonds were flat, with the yield on the benchmark instrument due in 2026 ZAR186= at 8.10 percent.

 

Copyright Reuters, 2018