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Rand weakens as global market sell-off resumes

Johannesburg - The rand weakened in early trade on Tuesday as an oil price plunge swang global markets away from riskier assets.

Stocks were also weaker in early trade, with the broader All-share index down 0.81% and the blue-chip Top 40 slipping 1.06%.

The rand was changing hands at R16.6100/$ by 08:52, 0.45% weaker than its 16.5400 Monday close in New York.

A renewed bout of negative sentiment concerning emerging markets ensured that the rand's recovery came to a halt on Monday, filtering into early Tuesday trade as crude oil dropped below $30 a barrel.

"Considering this morning’s softness in commodity prices and fall in Asian equity markets, commodity-based currencies, including the rand, are likely to remain under pressure today," said Barclays Africa currency strategist Mike Keenan in a note.

In fixed income, government bonds tracked the rand lower as investors waited for clear signs of both the US Federal Reserve monetary trajectory as well as that of the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb).

The yield on paper due in 2026 ticked up 5 basis points to 9.658%.

Investors will be cautious ahead of the Sarb's monetary policy committee meeting beginning on Tuesday to determine its rate decision and an update on the bank's inflation and growth outlook on Thursday.

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Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.93
-0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.45
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
911.00
+1.6%
Palladium
1,012.02
+1.0%
Gold
2,215.47
+0.9%
Silver
24.79
+0.6%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.9%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.9%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
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