Rand
Rand firms on poor US jobs figures; markets down to July levels
The rand firmed on Friday as the lure of higher yields and a slide in the dollar after jobs growth slowed in the United States.
The Fed is expected to provide reassurance of endless stimulus for the U.S. economy in a statement at 1800 GMT but no major policy changes are expected.
With COVID-19 cases rising sharply in the United States, as well as in developing economies such as India, Brazil and South Africa, investors were wary.
Deaths from the coronavirus pandemic in India surpassed 20,000 and case numbers increased, with infections in the United States also jumping, dampening global enthusiasm over the easing of lockdowns.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange closed higher than in the last nine trading sessions due to the China-led optimism.
At 0650 GMT, the rand traded at 16.9350 versus the dollar, around 0.3% firmer than its previous close.
At 0704 GMT, the rand traded at 17.00 versus the dollar, around 0.3% stronger than its previous close.
At 0720 GMT the rand was 0.21% firmer at 17.3100 per dollar, having hit a three-session low on Tuesday.
At 0657 GMT, the rand traded at 17.24 versus the dollar, 0.1% stronger than its closing level on Friday.
At 1500 GMT, the rand traded at 17.3300 per dollar, 1.11% weaker than its previous close.
At 1520 GMT, the rand was 0.7% firmer at 17.2560 per dollar, after hitting a session low of 17.5325 earlier.
At 1500 GMT, the rand was trading at 17.2200 per dollar, 0.72% firmer than its previous close.
At 1525 GMT the rand traded at 17.3200 per dollar, unchanged from its previous close.
The Top-40 companies index closed down 0.25% to 49,535 points while the All-Share index was down 0.27% to end the day at 53,881 points.
At 1530 GMT, the rand was 0.23% firmer at 17.2000 per dollar, moving away from a session-high of 17.0875.
At 1530 GMT, the rand was 1.2% weaker at 17.2600 per dollar, not far off the one-and-a-half week low of 17.34525 it touched earlier in the session.
The rand is seen by some as a proxy for emerging market risk, so it tends to swing wildly at times of market volatility.
At 0640 GMT, the rand traded at 16.7740 per dollar, 0.56% weaker than its previous close, and retreating from a near 12-week high of 16.6400 touched earlier in the session.
At 0645 GMT, the rand traded at 16.7840 per dollar, 0.15% stronger than its close on Friday.