Johannesburg - The rand strengthened against the dollar on Friday, as investors pushed back bets on a rate hike by the Federal Reserve next week after a set of weak data from the US.
At 08:50, the rand had gained 0.6% to R14.1500/$, compared to overnight close at R14.2350/$.
Expectations of a Fed rate hike at next week's meeting dimmed after US retail and industrial disappointed.
Anticipation of continued monetary stimulus by European Central Bank also boosted emerging currencies.
In bonds, the yield for the benchmark government issue duein 2026 cut 4 basis points to 8.655%.