The government's benchmark 2030 bond was weaker, with the yield up 5 basis point at 10.120%. (Reporting by Tannur Anders and Bhargav Acharya Editing by Alexander Winning, Kirsten Donovan)
(Updates prices to reflect afternoon trade)
JOHANNESBURG, April 21 (Reuters) - The South African
rand weakened on Friday, as rising expectations that the U.S.
Federal Reserve will raise interest rates by 25 basis points
(bps) in May lent support to the dollar.
At 1513 GMT, the rand traded at 18.0800 against the
dollar, down 0.33% from its previous close.
The dollar was marginally firmer at 101.87 against a basket
of global currencies , with money markets now pricing in a
roughly 86% chance of 25 bp hike next month despite jobless
claims this week pointing to a slowing U.S.labour market.
The risk-sensitive rand often takes its cue from global
factors like the outlook for U.S. monetary policy in the absence
of major local drivers.
Next week, Statistics South Africa will publish the March
producer price index , and the central bank will
release its February leading business cycle indicator and biannual Monetary Policy Review.
Shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange slipped, with both
the broader all-share index and the blue-chip Top-40
index ending more than 1.2% lower.
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