Rand slips as oil price rises
A rising oil price dents global sentiment a little, while the rand is also under pressure after Eskom’s bailout
The rand was softer against major global currencies on Tuesday afternoon, faring worst against the pound, amid an air of caution in global markets. A rising oil price was putting a dent in sentiment, with news that the US was intensifying pressure on Iran, raising fears of a supply shortage. The rand is also on the back foot due to domestic politics, with news of a new Eskom bailout highlighting the risks to SA’s credit rating posed by the embattled power monopoly. The government rushed to provide Eskom with R5bn in funding, it said on Friday, but public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan has denied the power utility is close to collapse. Given that this week is shortened, and next week contains a public holiday as well, liquidity could be thin, said Mercato Financial Services analyst Nico du Plessis. There could also be bouts of volatility. At 2pm, the rand was 0.25% weaker at R14.1964/$, 0.15% down at R15.9674/€ and 0.46% softer at R18.4638/£. The euro was flat at $1.1247. The bi...
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