Rand climbs as risk appetite recovers

Johannesburg - The rand gained for a second day against the dollar on Friday as renewed optimism that a solution can be found for Greece's debt woes calmed investors, halting an emerging market sell-off that had pushed the local unit to four-week lows.

By 07:22 GMT, the rand was trading 0.95% firmer at R12.3930 to the greenback compared with Thursday's close.

Government bonds were similarly firmer, with the yield for debt maturing in 2026 dipping 3.5 basis points to 8.145%.

The rand took its cue mainly from the euro, the currency of one of the major trading partners, which firmed as risk appetite warmed on signs that Greece was making some progress in its efforts to secure fresh funding.

A recovery in Chinese stocks, whose plunge had hit commodity currencies at the start of the week, also boosted the rand.

READ: China stocks jump again after Beijing put floor under market

"This keeps the global risk tone positive, helping the rand and no doubt our local asset markets," Rand Merchant Bank analyst John Cairns said in a market note.

"But volatility is extreme and it is possible that the market collapse will resume next week."