At 0631 GMT, the Rand traded at 18.42 against the Dollar, about 0.2% weaker than its previous close.

Markets await a US gross domestic product reading this Thursday and personal consumption expenditure data, the Federal Reserve's favoured measure of inflation on Friday.

These readings could give hints on the country's the future interest rate path. "Ahead of this afternoon's much anticipated US data markets have seen risk off sentiment increase and thus EM (emerging market) currencies remain on the back foot," said Andre Cilliers, Currency Strategist at TreasuryONE.

"The Rand... could possibly test the R18.50 mark in the current market conditions, with headwinds for commodity currencies also flaring up," Cilliers added.

Like other risk-sensitive currencies, the Rand often takes cues from global factors in addition to domestic drivers.

Locally, investors will turn their attention to SA's producer inflation figures for June, expected around 0930 GMT.

This Wednesday, Statistics SA data showed headline consumer inflation eased to 5.1% year-on-year in June from 5.2% in May.

SA's benchmark 2030 government bond was slightly stronger in early deals, as the yield slipped 0.2 basis point to 9.5%.

--Reuters--