* Rand looks set to end yr over 25 pct weaker to dlr
* Stocks could open weaker, negative for year
* Bonds weaker, PPI at 0930 GMT
JOHANNESBURG, Dec 15 (Reuters) – South Africa’s rand
was languishing near two-week lows against the dollar on
Thursday with little respite seen as investors shun riskier
assets on concerns about the outlook of the euro zone.
The rand looks set to end the year more than 25 percent
weaker against the dollar, which would be its worst yearly
performance since 2008.
Domestic stocks looked set to start negative, with the JSE’s
Top-40 December futures contract down 0.52 percent before the
0700 GMT start of trade. Stocks fell on Wednesday, falling into
negative territory for the year.
The domestic calender will feature producer inflation data
at 0930 GMT, with the market expecting it at 10.5 percent
year-on-year.
The rand was trading at 8.4335 against the dollar
at 0637 GMT, not far from Wednesday’s New York close of 8.4307.
“It’s weak on back of what is going in the world and on the
commodity currencies,” said a dealer.
Continued…
