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Johannesburg - The rand weakened against the dollar before the release of expected lower inflation data on Wednesday, with investors keen to see what effect the number could have on an interest rate decision in the coming session.
Offshore, the focus is on the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy-setting meeting later in the day, with expectations that the bank will signal tighter policy sooner than expected.
The rand traded at R10.9275 to the dollar at 08:51, 0.2% weaker than a R10.9080 close in New York on Tuesday.
Statistics South Africa will release August inflation data at 10:00. Analysts have forecast 6.2% year-on-year CPI, slowing from 6.3%, with inflation likely to have already peaked in May.
Retail sales are due at 13:00. Sales growth is expected to have risen to 0.3% in July, from a flat reading in June.
Later in the session focus will turn to the Fed's latest guidance on interest rates when it concludes its two-day meeting where it is expected to discuss the timing of an increase, which will pressure emerging markets.
Yields on government bond were down 3 basis points to 8.235% on the benchmark 2026 issue.
