JOHANNESBURG - The South African rand traded sideways during yesterday’s European session according to NKC Research.
A gloomy domestic story remains largely dominated by external events, but the South African unit shrugged off increased uncertainty surrounding a US-Sino trade deal. The most recent bout of uncertainty stems from US President Donald Trump signing two bills supporting Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters. As expected, China’s foreign ministry condemned the move. On local soil, a benign producer price index inflation print suggests overall inflationary pressures may remain subdued for some time. At the close of local trade, the rand quoted 0.16 percent stronger at R14.73/$, after trading in range of R14.68/$ - R14.81/$. The rand inched stronger overnight. Expected range today R14.60/$ - R14.80/$.
South African bourse
The JSE All Share (-0.84 percent) ended lower yesterday, dragged by losses across the board. In local news, Vodacom’s (-2-63 percent) share price languished in the red after markets reacted to news that the company’s chief executive officer will step down. This follows the group chief technology officer’s resignation earlier in the week. In the overall emerging market sphere, the MSCI Emerging Market Index (-0.24 percent) traded lower.
Brent crude oil
