JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s rand was slightly weaker early on Thursday ahead of local fourth-quarter current account data, while U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies remained a concern for global markets.
At 0730 GMT, the rand traded at 18.3125 against the dollar, about 0.1% weaker than its previous close.
The dollar last traded about 0.1% weaker against a basket of currencies. Trump took a softer stance on tariffs after the currency hit a three-month low on Wednesday.
The South African Reserve Bank will publish the country’s fourth-quarter current account data at 0900 GMT. Analysts polled by Reuters expect a deficit of 3 billion rand ($163.8 million).
On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the blue-chip Top-40 index last traded up about 1.4%.
South Africa’s benchmark 2030 government bond was weaker in early deals, with the yield up 4.5 basis points to 9.075%.
($1 = 18.3166 rand)
(Reporting by Sfundo Parakozov; Editing by Tannur Anders and Eileen Soreng)
