South African rand pauses rally as investors await local data signals
JOHANNESBURG, Aug 25 (Reuters) - The South African rand fell on Monday as investors booked profits after a rally that took the currency to a nine-month peak.
At 0850 GMT the rand traded at 17.5250 against the dollar ZAR=D3, 0.6% weaker than Friday's close.
The risk-sensitive currency rallied on Friday, boosted by a weaker dollar and a rebound in gold prices, after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell pointed to a possible rate cut at the central bank's September meeting.
It has since taken a breather as investors await domestic releases to gauge the health of Africa's most industrialised economy.
On the economic calendar this week will be South Africa's business cycle leading indicator ZALEAD=ECI, producer inflation ZAPPIY=ECI numbers, money supply ZAM3=ECI and private sector credit ZACRED=ECI data, and trade balance ZATBAL=ECI and budget balance ZABUD=ECI figures.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange's Top-40 .JTOPI index was last up about 0.5%.
South Africa's benchmark 2035 government bond ZAR2035= also firmed as the yield fell 6.5 basis points to 9.575%.
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