JOHANNESBURG, March 15 (Reuters) - The South African
rand was stable in early trade on Wednesday, ahead of the
release of retail sales figures later in the day that will give
an insight into consumer demand in Africa's most industrialised
economy.
At 0632 GMT, the rand traded at 18.1325 against the
dollar, little changed from its previous close of 18.1200.
Statistics South Africa will publish January retail sales numbers at 1100 GMT.
Analysts polled by Reuters are predicting a 2.0% contraction
in annual terms in January, after a 0.6% decline in December.
South Africa's economic growth outlook is bleak this year,
with crippling power cuts seen hurting businesses of all sizes
and keeping inflation high.
On Tuesday, Stats SA data showed mining output contracted 1.9% in January, while manufacturing fell
3.7%.
The country's benchmark 2030 government bond slipped in early deals, with the yield up 2.5 basis points at
10.040%.
(Reporting by Alexander Winning; Editing by Rashmi Aich)
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