South African rand softens ahead of Fed minutes
Updates prices as of 1554 GMT, adds analyst comment in paragraphs 2-5
JOHANNESBURG, Oct 9 (Reuters) -South Africa's rand softened onWednesday, ahead of the closely watched minutes from the Federal Reserve's September meeting.
At 1554 GMT, the rand traded at 17.6425 againstthe dollar ZAR=D3, about 0.3% weaker thanits previous close.
The dollar index =USD last traded up about 0.3%against a basket of currencies.
"Dollar strength of late can be attributed to stronger economic data out of the region which is dimming the outlook of further outsized rate cuts this year in the world's largest economy," said Shaun Murison, senior market analyst at IG.
"The rand looks to be eyeing out a move towards the R18/$ mark as it has now firmly cleared the R17.50/$ level."
Fed minutes due later in the day were expected to provide an explanation for the U.S.central bank's big interest rate cut last month, and could potentially offer more clues on its interest rate trajectory.
The risk-sensitive rand is susceptible to global movers like the direction of U.S. monetary policy.
On Thursday, September U.S. consumer inflation figures will be released, while domestic investors also turn their focus towards monthly mining and manufacturing data.
On the stock market, the Top-40 .JTOPI index closed about 0.2% down.
South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond ZAR2030= was stronger, with the yield down 6.5 basis points to 9.17%.
Reporting by Bhargav Acharya, Tannur Anders and Sfundo Parakozov; editing by Louise Heavens and Mark Heinrich
Related Assets
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
