Most EM currencies firm in lead-up to US inflation data
PCE data due at 1230 GMT
Chinese yuan, South African rand at over one-year highs
EM stocks up 0.5%, FX adds 0.1%
By Shashwat Chauhan
Aug 30 (Reuters) -Most emerging market currencies were higher on Friday as the dollar weakened ahead of crucial U.S. inflation data that could offer clues on the size of possible interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve next month.
The Fed's preferred inflation measure - the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index - is due at 1230 GMT and could offer hints on the size of potential rate cuts.
Analysts anticipate headline inflation to rise 0.2% in the month of July, while 'core' inflation, which excludes volatile components like food and energy, is also expected to rise by the same level.
"We are aligned with the consensus for a 0.2% MoM call, which should keep markets attached to their call for 100 bps of easing by year-end," said Francesco Pesole, FX strategist at ING.
China's yuan CNH= appreciated 0.3% in offshore trading, reaching its highest level in over a year, while stocks .SSEC, .CSI300 closed higher. .SS
In Central Eastern Europe, Poland's zloty EURPLN= gained 0.1% against the euro after preliminary data showed inflation stood at 4.3% on a year-on-year basis in August, compared to analysts' expectations of a 4.2% reading.
Separately, updated statistics office data showed domestic demand fuelled by brisker government expenditure drove the Czech economy's slow recovery in the second quarter.
South Africa's rand ZAR=D3 was up 0.8% against the dollar, hitting its highest level since July 2023, while stocks .JTOPI were muted.
MSCI's index for emerging market stocks .MSCIEF added 0.5% by 0830 GMT, while a gauge for currencies .MIEM00000CUS edged up 0.1%. Both are headed for monthly gains.
Global equities saw sharp declines earlier this month as investors dumped risk assets after a hot July jobs report in the United States fanned worries of a recession in the world's biggest economy.
Those worries have since faded as data throughout the month showed a resilient U.S. consumer, with stocks back above levels seen before the selloff.
Also adding to the volatility was a surprise rate-hike by the Bank of Japan earlier this month, which saw the yen JPY= rise and sharp unwinding of currency "carry" trades, where investors borrow in low-yielding currencies such as the yen to invest in high yielding assets like stocks.
High-yielding EM currencies saw sharp declines, but have now recovered as markets gear up for an interest rate cut by the Fed next month, following Chair Jerome Powell's dovish tilt last week.
Markets in Turkey were shut for a public holiday.
HIGHLIGHTS:
** Russia payment hurdles with China partners intensified in August, sources say
** China's interest rate reform will be 'arduous, long' process
For TOP NEWS across emerging markets nTOPEMRG
For CENTRAL EUROPE market report, see CEE/
For TURKISH market report, see .IS
For RUSSIAN market report, see RU/RUB
For GRAPHIC on emerging market FX performance in 2024 http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
For GRAPHIC on MSCI emerging index performance in 2024 https://tmsnrt.rs/2OusNdX
Major EM currencies this month https://tmsnrt.rs/4dI4FAa
Reporting by Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru
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