South African Markets - Factors to watch on July 4

JOHANNESBURG, July 4 (Reuters) - The following scheduled economic events, equity and currency market moves may affect South African markets on Friday.

ECONOMIC EVENTS

Inflation-linked bond auction

SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS

The South African rand gained on Thursday on optimism among global investors about trade negotiations with the U.S. after the country signed a trade deal with Vietnam, fuelling hopes of more such deals ahead of a July 9 deadline set by Washington.

The Johannesburg Stock Exchange's Top-40 index .JTOPI closed up 0.2%..JZAR/

GLOBAL MARKETS

Most Asian equity markets struggled on Friday, despite record highs for Wall Street overnight, as U.S. President Donald Trump's deadline for trade deals loomed next week. MKTS/GLOB

WALL STREET

Wall Street rallied on Thursday to record closing highs, as chipmaker Nvidia rose closer to a $4 trillion valuation and a surprisingly strong U.S. jobs report cheered investors, who shrugged off dimming chances for an interest rate cut this month. .N

GOLD

Gold rose on Friday, poised for a weekly gain as investors sought safe-haven assets after the passage of U.S. President Donald Trump's tax-cut and spending bill in Congress raised fiscal concerns. GOL/

EMERGING MARKETS

For the top emerging markets news, double click on nTOPEMRG

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Some of the main stories out in the South African press:

BUSINESS DAY

- Blind spot in SA's 'opaque' gold trade data flagged by foreign NGO

- SA banks are in an expansionary phase, says S&P

NEWS24

- South Africa to roll out the red carpet for Austria at the Union Buildings

- Red meat prices surge amid panic buying as foot-and-mouth spreads