South African rand slips, local data expected to hold little sway
Updates prices to reflect afternoon trade
JOHANNESBURG, Oct 14 (Reuters) -The South African rand fell on Monday, and with little major domestic data this week the local currency will likely be driven by global events, analysts said.
At 1520 GMT, the rand traded at 17.54 against the dollar ZAR=D3, nearly 0.9% weaker than its previous close.
The dollar index =USD was last up about 0.13% against a basket of other major currencies.
The recent moderating messaging from the Federal Reserve on interest rate cuts has sapped risk appetite, while the broadening conflict in the Middle East has also weighed, said Investec Chief Economist Annabel Bishop.
Like other risk-sensitive currencies, the rand tends to take cues from global drivers in the absence of major local factors.
"SA will be subject to more offshore developments to drive broader currency direction this week... None of the local data is likely to be particularly market-moving," ETM Analytics said in a research note.
The European Central Bank will make its latest interest rate decision this week and markets will also be watching developments in Fed's rate cutting path and Chinese asset volatility.
On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the blue-chip Top-40 index .JTOPI closed about 0.3% higher.
South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond ZAR2030= was weaker, with the yield up 6 basis points to 9.215%.
Reporting by Tannur Anders and Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Bill Berkrot
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