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Rand firms but rating reviews pose risk

Johannesburg - The rand was on a slightly firmer footing against the dollar on Monday after a turbulent run last week, although fears of two possible credit rating downgrades on Friday will cap any significant gains.

By 08:51 the rand was changing hands at R10.5730 per dollar, a touch stronger than Friday's close at R10.5850 in New York.

It was up more than 2% from a 10-week low of R10.8050 touched last Wednesday as investors fretted about lacklustre growth prospects for Africa's second-largest economy, partly due to a drawn-out platinum strike.

However, analysts said the currency was not out of the woods as recent weak economic data, including a first quarter GDP contraction, could prompt a sovereign credit downgrade from Moody's and Standard and Poor's on Friday.

"The rand is doing better again but an empty data calendar should keep it moving sideways mostly until Friday's likely fireworks from the sovereign ratings actions," Rand Merchant Bank currency analyst John Cairns said in a note.

"While credit ratings are often seen as a lagging indicator, the local mood is such that (negative) moves would be taken quite badly."

Government bonds were firmer in early Monday trade, with yields for the 2026 and 2015 benchmark bonds shedding 4 basis points each to 8.195% and 6.57% respectively.
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Rand - Dollar
18.88
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.86
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.38
+0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.32
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
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