ECONOMIC EVENTS Inflation-linked bond auction
Treasury bill auction
SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS The South African rand strengthened on Thursday, recovering from an almost three-year low hit the day before when S&P Global downgraded South Africa's outlook to "stable" from "positive". GLOBAL MARKETS Falling bank stocks drove Asian markets lower on Friday, while bonds rallied and expectations for U.S. interest rate rises were reduced after a surprise capital raising at a Silicon Valley startup lender unleashed fears of broader banking-system stress. WALL STREET Wall Street's three major stock indexes closed lower on Thursday, with bank stocks creating the biggest drag while investors also worried that Friday's jobs report could spur more aggressive interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve. GOLD Gold prices eased on Friday as investors keenly look forward to the U.S. non-farm payrolls report due later in the day to assess the likely path of the Federal Reserve's rate-tightening cycle. EMERGING MARKETS For the top emerging markets news, double click on - - - -
Some of the main stories out in the South African press:
BUSINESS DAY - Public enterprises department heads for chopping block
FIN 24 - SA renewables boom: 1 000MW in projects registered in Feb - from 16MW a year ago (Compiled by Nellie Peyton)
