Rand pauses after a strong run on diminishing Brexit fear

21 June 2016 - 11:42 By Andries Mahlangu

The rand was little changed on Tuesday morning as the rally in the global risk assets paused after a strong run on Monday‚ spurred by diminishing concern of Britain possibly leaving the European Union (EU). “Markets will be wary to dive into risk assets completely until we have a clearer idea after Thursday’s referendum‚ but wild swings can be expected with every twist in the saga‚” said Phillip Pearce‚ a trader at TreasuryOne.The rand rallied as much as more than 2% on Monday‚ taking its lead from the overseas markets that saw the British pound made a strong comeback after polls suggested that the support for the UK to remain in the EU had gathered momentum.Asian share markets were mixed this morning‚ as were commodity prices‚ suggesting a degree of caution in what is still expected to be a volatile week.Copper was up 2% to $4‚645 per ton while Brent crude dipped but managed to hold above the $50 per barrel area.The weaker rand stokes inflation‚ which is expected to have picked up to 6.3% year on year in May‚ from 6.2% in April. Statistics SA will release the figures on Wednesday.At 9.15am‚ the rand was at R14.8179 to the dollar from R14.8531 at the previous close. It was at R16.8133 against the euro from R16.8018 previously‚ and at R21.8197 against the pound from R21.8226 previously.The euro was at $1.1346‚ from $1.1313 previously. TMGDigital/BDlive..

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