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Rand weakens to near record after Nene axing

Johannesburg - The rand weakened early on Thursday, edging towards the record low hit in the previous session after President Jacob Zuma removed Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene.

By 08:01 the rand had weakened 0.61% to R15.0665/$ compared to its close of 14.9750 in New York.

Nene's dismissal sent the rand to a record low of 15.3000 as sentiment soured in an economy that is barely growing, squeezed by low commodity prices globally and the near certainty of an interest rate rise in the United States next week.

READ: Finance minister announcement negative for SA

"The timing of this decision and what it entails is very negative for the Rand and credibility of the finance ministry and sound financial institution framework," said Standard Bank trader Oliver Alwar.

"Investor sentiment will struggle given its timing so soon after ratings agencies met last Friday."

READ: SA heading for junk status unless GDP grows

Fitch downgraded the economy to just one notch above sub-investment grade last Friday.

READ: Kevin Lings: Fitch downgrade expected, outlook stable, but there's a window of opportunity

Government bonds however held on to their gains, with the yield on the benchmark paper due in 2026 shedding 0.05 basis points to 8.830%, a level last seen in February 2014.

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Rand - Dollar
18.93
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.90
-0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.44
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.1%
Platinum
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+1.1%
Palladium
1,012.66
+1.1%
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24.87
+0.9%
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All Share
74,536
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Resource 10
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Financial 15
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