Rand falls on risk aversion as US-China trade war heats up

South Africa‘s rand weakened in early trade on Monday, giving up some of the election inspired gains, with risk aversion driving currency markets after the latest escalation in the trade war between the United States and China.

The world’s two biggest economies appeared at a deadlock over trade negotiations on Sunday as Washington demanded promises of concrete changes to Chinese law and Beijing said it would not swallow any “bitter fruit” that harmed its interests.

At 0605 GMT, the rand traded at 14.2 per dollar, 0.26% weaker than its New York close on Friday.

South African markets strengthened on Friday on expectations of political continuity, as the governing African National Congress (ANC) headed for a national election victory.

“In spite of last week’s election and a perceived investor-friendly outcome, the rand has been largely driven by international factors with the election contributing only marginally to its direction,” Peregrine Treasury Solutions Corporate Treasury Manager Bianca Botes said.

In fixed income, the yield on the benchmark instrument due in 2026 fell 1.5 basis points to 8.445% in early trade.