# The South African rand held steady against the US dollar in early trade as investors kept a close watch on developments in the Middle East. A weaker dollar and lower oil prices supported the local currency, while hopes of progress towards a US-Iranian peace agreement lifted market sentiment. Traders are also awaiting key US jobs data later this week for clues on the direction of interest rates. South Africa’s benchmark government bond strengthened slightly as yields edged lower in early trading.
South African rand steady as markets await signs of US/Iranian deal