South African Markets - Factors to watch on January 23

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 23 (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 was hovering around its strongest level against the dollar for three years, as geopolitical tensions and safe-haven demand eased after U.S. President Donald Trump backed down from new tariff threats and ruled out the use of force to obtain Greenland..JZAR/

On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index .JTOPI was last up 0.8%, tracking most emerging market equities, which traded around record highs on Thursday.

GLOBAL MARKETS

Stocks advanced in Asian trading on Friday after the Bank of Japan left benchmark interest rates on hold, while gold and silver surged to new peaks as the U.S. dollar came under renewed pressure. MKTS/GLOB

WALL STREET

Wall Street's main indexes finished higher on Thursday, the second straight day of gains, as investors bought shares after U.S. President Donald Trump rescinded tariff threats on European allies while data highlighted American economic resilience..N

GOLD

Gold notched another record high on Friday, while silver and platinum also extended gains to hit all-time peaks, powered by diminishing confidence in U.S. assets on account of geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.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

- Climate extremes expose widening insurance gap for SA businesses

- SA and other emerging markets benefit from global investor rotation

NEWS24

- Floods force rethink of how Kruger is rebuilt after R500m destruction

- Davos warning: SA's 'anti-American' image needs urgent repair, says Investec CEO