Johannesburg - The rand weakened on Thursday as the increasing likelihood of a US interest rate rise this month and lower commodity prices weighed on emerging currencies.
However, at 5pm, the rand was bid at R13.0917 to the dollar, 1c firmer than at the same time on Wednesday.
Further signs that the US Federal Reserve is veering toward a March rise in interest rates continued to support the dollar, which was up 0. percent against a basket of major currencies.
A drop in commodity prices added pressure on emerging currencies as spot gold fell 0.8 percent while platinum slid 1.4 percent.
Meanwhile, government bonds strengthened yesterday, with the yield on the benchmark paper due in 2026 retreating.