The rand strengthened overnight as US Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated the US economy is ‘not looking to over-heat any time soon’.
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Rand rallies as risk sentiment… is back!
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Rand volatility set to continue
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The rand followed in the footsteps of emerging market currencies and global equities to end last week in the green.
The local unit opened the week slightly on the back foot as risk aversion lingered. This week the rand will be in ………
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US vs CHINA … vs the rand!?
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The rand along with other EM currencies were casualties (yet again!) as the US vs China trade war tensions continue to escalate.
China vowed to fight until the end, warning the US of “arrogance” and “making a fool of itself”. US treasury yields edged lower as investors fled to safety. The rand depreciated 0.9% against the dollar opening at 13.44/USD this morning.
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It’s still all about the US
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The local unit scored somewhat of a consolation goal on Friday (sorry Argentina fans), as global equities and EM markets ended the week stronger.
Eyes are still on the US though as June Fed minutes and job numbers will be out later this week. The data, coupled with escalating trade tensions between the US and China, could provide more volatility than the Spain vs. Russia penalty shootout.
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ZAR extends losses against the US dollar
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The past few months certainly haven’t been kind to the rand, with the emerging-market currency tumbling 13.6% against the US dollar so far this quarter.
But it appears that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) won’t be taking any sudden action to bolster the currency.
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The markets troughs another tantrum
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The rand lost 2% against the USD yesterday, as markets had another ‘taper tantrum’.
March US retail sales were revised upwards to 0.8% (Month on month), raising fears that the US Fed may indeed …….
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Are things ‘back on the bus’ now with Trump?
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It’s all aboard the Trumplomacy bus, as President Trump offered China an olive branch yesterday, renewing hope that a ‘trade ‘war’ could be avoided……..
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Is this the beginning of the end!
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Trump announces US withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal with plans to impose strict sanctions.
Uncertainty of global oil supplies grows as countries who continue business with Iran may be penalized and ………
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You miss one and then hit one
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Fridays nonfarm payrolls figures missed the mark (163k vs. 193k expected), while unemployment data reached a 17-year low of 3.9
The job numbers confirm strength in the dollar, with the rand opening at 12.53/$ this morning. This week could see EM ….
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The Rand Losts Its Ground
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The rand lost ground yesterday as SA lost out to exemption from the US steel and aluminum import tariffs (25% and 10% respectively).
An increase in the oil price and a stronger dollar added to the rands demise. The tone of tonight’s Fed interest……..
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