South African rand gains, interest rates in focus this week
Updates prices as of 1509 GMT; adds trader's comment in paragraphs 4-5, 8
JOHANNESBURG, Sept 16 (Reuters) -The South African rand gained on Monday against a weaker dollar, as markets geared up for a week packed with interest rate announcements and a local inflation print.
At 1509 GMT, the rand traded at 17.65 against the dollar ZAR=D3, about 0.6% firmer than its previous close.
The dollar =USD last traded about 0.3% softer against a basket of peers.
"A weaker greenback is primarily driving the renewed strength in the rand today," said Kavir Surujhlal, junior sales trader at IG Group.
"We could see increased volatility in our local currency leading up to the U.S. and local (interest) rates announcement," Surujhlal added.
On Wednesday, local investors will look to South Africa's August consumer inflation figures ZACPIY=ECI. Consumer inflation fell to 4.6% year-on-year in July, only just above the level the South African central bank aims for, 4.5%.
Another reading near the target would further cement expectations for a rate cut from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on Thursday ZAREPO=ECI. Economists polled by Reuters predict a 25 basis point cut.
Surujhlal said the SARB's meeting could be overshadowed by the Federal Reserve's press conference, but local investors should pay careful attention to Governor Lesetja Kganyago's comments on the health of the domestic economy for potential clues on future rate cuts.
The U.S. Federal Reserve will announce its policy decision on Wednesday. Markets are betting the central bank of the world's biggest economy will cut rates but are divided on the size of the cut.
On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the blue-chip Top-40 index .JTOPI closed down about 0.1%.
South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond ZAR2030= gained, as the yield slipped 9 basis points to 8.825%.
Reporting by Tannur Anders; Editing by Alex Richardson and Jonathan Oatis
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