6 days ago
South African rand subdued as investors await tariff updates and local data
JOHANNESBURG, July 11 (Reuters) - The South African rand took a knock against a firmer dollar in early trade on Friday, as global markets remained on edge over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats.
At 0713 GMT, the rand traded at 17.8550 against the dollar , about 0.7% weaker than Thursday's close, as traders shunned riskier markets. The greenback last traded about 0.2% stronger against a basket of currencies.
Domestically-focussed investors will keep close tabs on updates from the government as it tries to negotiate a trade deal before an extended deadline of August 1, after which it faces a 30% trade tariff on its exports to the United States.
South Africa also faces an additional 10% tariff because of its membership of the BRICS group of developing nations which Trump has described as "anti-American."
This could further compound pressure on the already risk-sensitive rand, even as an ETM analytics research note said the currency was poised to benefit from an expected recovery in commodity prices.
"South Africa's terms of trade have improved courtesy of the buoyancy of gold and platinum prices and the recent surge in copper prices," ETM analytics said in the note.
"A study of commodity prices relative to the USD shows that the market is ripe for a USD correction and a recovery in commodity prices."
South Africa is a major producer of precious metals and its rand like other commodity-linked currencies will be closely tracking developments from Washington following Trump's threat to impose a 50% tariff on copper imports to the U.S.
Next week, the statistics agency will release mining output (ZAMNG=ECI), opens new tab and retail sales (ZARET=ECI), opens new tab data which will provide clues on the health of Africa's most industrialised economy.
South Africa's benchmark 2035 government bond was also weaker in early deals, with the yield rising 4.5 basis points to 9.83%.
