South African Markets - Factors to watch on March 24

JOHANNESBURG, March 24 (Reuters) - The following scheduled economic events, equity and currency market moves may affect South African markets on Tuesday.

ECONOMIC EVENTS

January leading business cycle indicator ZALEAD=ECI

South African government bond auction

SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS

The South African rand strengthened on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump stepped back from plans to target Iran's power plants and energy infrastructure, boosting appetites for riskier assets.

On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index .JTOPI was last down 0.3%..JZAR/

GLOBAL MARKETS

Stocks were on tenterhooks and oil prices rose in choppy trade on Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump's postponement of the bombing of Iran's power grid proved no panacea for investors worried about the ramifications of the Middle East war. MKTS/GLOB

WALL STREET

The three main U.S. stock indexes finished Monday's session up more than 1% as oil prices fell after President Donald Trump said he had ordered the military to postpone strikes against Iranian power plants following "productive conversations" with Tehran. .N

GOLD

Gold prices fell more than 1% on Tuesday, extending their slide to a tenth straight session, pressured by a firm U.S. dollar and fading hopes for near-term Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. 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

- Private education group Advtech eyes university status after record operating profit

NEWS24

- Mall owner Fairvest plans to double investment in township fibre infrastructure to 1 billion rand ($58.99 million)

- SA logistics sector stands to gain from Iran crisis, says trade minister

($1 = 16.9524 rand)