Overview

• The South African rand was stronger in early trade on Friday, extending its Thursday gains after the central bank kept its main interest rate unchanged.
• South Africa's central bank maintained its hawkish tone, keeping its main lending rate unchanged for the third meeting in a row despite inflation quickening in October.
• Next week, investors will turn their attention to supply-side inflation when producer price index data is released.
• South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond was marginally stronger in early deals, with the yield down 0.5 basis point at 10.120%.
• Headline consumer inflation rose to 5.9% year-on-year last month from 5.4% in September, nearing the top of the central bank's target range of 3% to 6%.