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Rand softer on Greek concerns
February 6, 2012--The rand was softer against the dollar in afternoon trade on Monday as it tracked a euro that had weakened on concerns that the Greek government would default on its debt obligations.
"The negotiations started out as a script for a tragedy that had to be avoided at all costs, but as they have dragged on with various actors entering and exiting the stage, it has turned into a farce," a local forex trader said.
At 15:57 local time, the rand was trading at R7.6181 to the dollar from its previous close of R7.5160. It was trading at R9.9389 to the euro from R9.9032 before, and at R12.0034 against sterling from R11.8929 previously.
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Source: FIN24
Stronger rand restrains JSE
February 3, 2012-- The JSE was slightly down on Friday off session lows but remained in the red on the back of the strong rand.
A local trader said that European markets had become firmer after key US jobs data was released. The local bourse also benefited from the data but was held back by the strength of the rand.
At 17:00, the JSE All Share [JSE:J203] index ended in flat territory (0.05%). An intraday record was set for industrials (36 185.40) and banks (45 408.08).
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Source: FIN24
Rand firms against dollar after US data
February 3, 2012--The rand firmed against the dollar in late afternoon trade on Friday following the release of better-than-expected US jobs data.
"It's a risk-on scenario after the US non-farm payrolls figures, but even before that we saw the rand supported by some very large offshore names and the US data just assisted the rand's progress," a local currency trader said.
"The euro briefly touched $1.32 after the data announcement and I think the single currency has performed admirably given the circumstances.
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Source: FIN24
JSE pushes record higher
February 2, 2012--The JSE was up at the close on Thursday, as the market's underlying bullish tone continued to drive trade higher.
A local trader said, "It's difficult to tell if the tone is a result of expectation that a deal would be made in Europe."
The All Share [JSE:J203] has risen 7% in January alone which was "absolutely fierce".
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Source: FIN24
Rand near 5-mnth high, Greece casts shadow
February 2, 2012--South Africa's rand hovered close to the previous day's five-month highs against the dollar on Thursday but could come under renewed pressure in coming days as fears of global contagion from euro zone debt problems, particularly in Greece, persist.
Improved risk appetite has lifted the rand by about five percent against the greenback since the start of this after tumbling nearly 23 percent last year as Europe's debt woes drove investors to traditional safe-haven assets, away from emerging markets seen as carrying more risk.
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Source: FIN24
JSE scales new lifetime high
February 1, 2012--South African stocks closed at a new lifetime high on Wednesday, gaining more the 1 percent as positive earnings statements and upbeat economic data from China helped lift resources firms such as Assore.
Shares of Absa, the South African lender controlled by Barclays, ended up 0.3% at 149.20 having earlier declined on news its veteran deputy CEO would step down next year.
“There is a lot of positive trading statements being released in our market in the last few days,” said Betzi Yang, trader at Legae Securities.
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Source: FIN24
Rand reaches 5-month high, bonds gain
February 1, 2012--South Africa’s rand surged more than 2% against the dollar on Wednesday, touching a near-five month high in line with a stronger euro as hopes of a resolution to Greece’s debt crisis helped to lift risk appetite globally.
Government bonds rallied in tandem, supported by continued demand from foreign investors looking for yield in emerging markets.
The rand soared to a session high of 7.6575/dollar, its strongest level since Sept. 20 last year, and was trading at 7.66 by 16:03 GMT, up 2.05% on the day.
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Source: FIN24
Bonds fall ahead of weekly auction
January 31, 2012--South African sovereign bonds weakened against the dollar on Tuesday before a weekly auction at which the government is taking the unusual step of issuing three bonds, mostly from the long end of the curve.
The weakness comes despite Treasury data showing a narrower fiscal deficit in the first nine months of the 2011/12 financial year compared to the previous year.
Investors expect South Africa's budget to be under pressure over the next few years as taxes are expected to take up to four years to recover to their pre-financial crisis levels.
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Source: FIN24
JSE follows Asian markets up
January 31, 2012--The JSE began Tuesday in the black following eastern markets higher.
A local trader said that the positive start was across the board this morning. Volumes were low, although the trader noted that it was still early in the trading day.
At 09:17 local time, the JSE All Share [JSE:J203] index was 0.64% higher at 33,843.50. Platinums accumulated 0.86%, resources took up 0.80% and gold stocks gained 0.64%. Banks were 0.68% higher, financials generated 0.60%, and industrials edged up 0.53%.
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Source: FIN24
Rand firms on higher risk appetite
January 31, 2012--The South African rand traded slightly firmer against the dollar on Tuesday, drawing strength from hopes of a successful conclusion to debt swap negotiations in Greece which boosted risk appetite in emerging markets.
Government bonds were little changed on the JSE exchange following signs of increased demand from foreigners seeking higher yields as interest rates in developed countries remain depressed.
The rand showed little reaction to data showing a trade surplus of R4.7bn in December compared with an R8bn deficit in November, as analysts said the swing bodes well for the currency.
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Source: FIN24
