Rand weaker as markets digest US presidential debate

South Africa’s rand weakened against the US dollar in early trade on Wednesday, as traders assessed a fierce first debate between US President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden.

At 0625 GMT, the rand traded at R16.98 per dollar, 0.16% weaker than its close on Tuesday, giving some up gains made in the previous session as caution toward safe-haven assets ahead of the US presidential debate kept some risk currencies in favour.

Trump and Biden battled fiercely over Trump’s record on the coronavirus pandemic, healthcare and the economy in a chaotic and bad-tempered first debate marked by personal insults and Trump’s repeated interruptions.

“A lack of liquidity in emerging markets as a whole, driven by pre-US presidential election caution, is causing exaggerated moves in the currency, giving rise to the current volatility,” said Bianca Botes, executive director at Peregrine Treasury Solutions.

On Wednesday, local focus will be on a slew of economic data including August consumer price inflation and trade balance figures.

In fixed income, the yield on the benchmark government bond due in 2030 was down a single basis point to 9.475%.