South African Markets - Factors to watch on Feb 21

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 21 (Reuters) - The following scheduled economic events, company announcements, equity and currency market moves may affect South African markets on Tuesday. ECONOMIC EVENTS South Africa leading business cycle indicator for December Weekly bond auction by South Africa's Treasury COMPANIES Kumba Iron Ore releases full year results Sasol releases interim financial results SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS The South African rand weakened against the dollar on Monday, at the start of a week in which fiscal policy will be in focus, with the finance minister due to present this year's budget. GLOBAL MARKETS Asian stocks edged lower on Tuesday as the prospect of the U.S. central bank having to stay on its hawkish path weighed on sentiment, with investors looking to the minutes of the latest Federal Reserve meeting for further monetary policy clues. WALL STREET Wall Street dropped on Friday, weighed down by Microsoft and Nvidia as investors worried that inflation and a strong U.S. economy could put the Federal Reserve on pace for more interest rate hikes. GOLD Gold traded in a tight range on Tuesday as investors refrained from taking big positions ahead of U.S. economic data that could influence the Federal Reserve's rate-hike strategy. EMERGING MARKETS For the top emerging markets news, double click on - - - -

Some of the main stories out in the South African press: BUSINESS DAY - How Treasury plans to short-circuit jitters over Eskom debt FIN 24 - As SA faces Stage 8 threat, new Eskom board looks set to miss key target (Compiled by Nellie Peyton)