South African rand firms at start of data-packed week
Updates prices to reflect afternoon trade
JOHANNESBURG, Nov 25 (Reuters) -South Africa's rand strengthened on Monday, as investors started the week on the front foot ahead of a slew of month-end economic data releases.
At 1525 GMT, the rand traded at 18.0225 against the dollar ZAR=D3, up 0.5% from its previous close.
Local investor focus will turn towards several economic indicators due this week, including a business cycle indicator, producer inflation, trade and budget balance figures.
The rand has regained some ground against the greenback after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's selection of fund manager Scott Bessent as the next U.S. Treasury secretary calmed emerging markets, said Andre Cilliers, currency strategist at TreasuryONE.
Cilliers said the local central bank's conservative monetary policy stance with a smaller interest rate cut last week also helped the rand.
On the stock market, the Top-40 .JTOPI index closed down 0.8%.
South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond ZAR2030= was stronger, with the yield down 6 basis points to 8.945%.
Reporting by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Jonathan Oatis
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