Rand weakens as Nene’s exit sours mood

Nhlanhla Nene’s dismissal saw the rand breach R15 to the dollar - and SA’s currency is still volatile.

Johannesburg - South Africa's rand weakened early on Thursday, edging towards the record low hit in the previous session when President Jacob Zuma removed finance minister Nhlanhla Nene.

By 06h01 GMT the rand had weakened 0.61 percent to 15.0665 per dollar compared to its close of 14.9750 in New York.

Nene's dismissal sent the rand to a record low of 15.3000 as sentiment soured in an economy that is barely growing, squeezed by low commodity prices globally and the near certainty of an interest rate rise in the United States next week.

“The timing of this decision and what it entails is very negative for the rand and credibility of the finance ministry and sound financial institution framework,” said Standard Bank trader Oliver Alwar.

“Investor sentiment will struggle given its timing so soon after ratings agencies met last Friday.”

Fitch downgraded Africa's most advanced economy to just one notch above sub-investment grade last Friday.

Government bonds however held on to their gains, with the yield on the benchmark paper due in 2026 shedding 0.05 basis points to 8.830 percent, a level last seen in February 2014.

REUTERS