* Rand within ranges
* Market waiting for Greece decision
* Bonds firmer, stock futures up
JOHANNESBURG, Feb 17 (Reuters) – South Africa’s rand
steadied against the dollar on Friday and was expected to remain
in familiar ranges as dealers bid their time ahead of Monday’s
decision on whether Greece will secure a bailout package to
avert a chaotic default.
There were no domestic figures coming out during the trading
day, so the rand will continue to take direction from abroad,
traders said.
Government bonds were slightly firmer in line with the rand.
The rand was at 7.7726 to the dollar in early
trade, not far from Thursday’s New York close of 7.7755.
“Its just headline driven. At this stage, the market has got
itself short euros or long dollars across the board. This is an
overnight squeeze until we get clarity on the Greek story,” said
Ian Martin, a trader at Rand Merchant Bank.
“I think we going to remain choppy,” Martin added.
Continued…
