The Rand weakened in morning trade following signs of a slowdown in the economy of South Africa's largest trading partner, China. (Oupa Nkosi, M&G)
The rand declined for the first time in three days as evidence of an economic slowdown in China, South Africa’s biggest trading partner, dimmed export prospects.
Two gauges of China’s manufacturing fell in June, underscoring a sustained slowdown in the world’s second-biggest economy as policy makers seek to rein in financial speculation and real-estate prices. China is the biggest buyer of South African raw materials. South Africa’s trade gap widened to R70-billion in the first half of 2013 compared with R51-billion last year, a report on June 28 showed.
“Persistently large trade deficits, together with the recent increase in the volatility of portfolio transactions. will heighten concerns about financing the current account deficit,” Mohammed Nalla, head of strategic research at Nedbank in Johannesburg, said in e-mailed comments. “This could exert further downward pressure on the Rand.”
South Africa’s currency weakened 0,5% to R9,9256 to the dollar as of 11:47 a.m. in Johannesburg. Yields on benchmark 10,5% bonds due December 2026 dropped three basis points, or 0.03 percentage points, to 7.88%.
An official purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for China dropped to 50.1, the lowest level in four months, from 50.8, the National Bureau of Statistics and China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing said today in Beijing. A private PMI from HSBC and Markit Economics was 48.2, the weakest since September. Readings above 50 signal expansion.
South Africa’s purchasing managers’ index climbed in June to the highest level since February.– Bloomberg