Rand firms as bad news batters the euro
Disappointing local data is offset by news that eurozone growth reached a four-year low in the third quarter
The rand was marginally firmer against major global currencies on Wednesday afternoon, as global events gave traders a great deal of information to parse. A sharply falling oil price, the possibility of a Brexit deal, and economic data releases all vied for attention, with the local currency brushing off bad news locally. Retail sales data for September disappointed, rising 0.7% year-on-year, well below expectations of growth of 2.2%. European data also disappointed, with third-quarter growth in Germany slowing to a four-year low.
At 2pm, the rand was 0.32% stronger against the dollar at R14.4087, 0.49% against the euro at R16.2416, and 0.61% against the pound at R18.6341. The euro had fallen 0.17% to $1.1271. Issues of the Italian budget deficit continue to hover over the markets, but all eyes on are on the UK as Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to try and sell a draft Brexit agreement to British lawmakers. “May has a real task on her hands now, that may make negotiations ...
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