The rand drifted lower against the dollar in early trade on Monday, at the start of a week in which local manufacturing and mining data will be released.
Analysts cited US consumer inflation data on Wednesday as potentially a crucial driver for the rand.
“From a multi-day/week perspective, (the dollar/rand exchange rate) is in no man’s land … and looking for direction from US CPI,” Rand Merchant Bank analysts said in a research note.
At 08:39, the rand traded at R18.85 against the dollar.
Like other emerging market currencies, the risk-sensitive often takes cues from big global drivers when there is little going on locally.
Statistics South Africa will release May manufacturing output on Tuesday and mining figures on Thursday.
