FxWirePro: USD/ZAR climbs as rand slips on inflation data

• USD/ZAR climbed on Wednesday as the South African rand weakened following a rise in September’s headline inflation, strengthening the case for the central bank to consider resuming rate cuts.

• Headline consumer inflation rose to 3.4% year-on-year in September, up from 3.3% in August, falling slightly short of the median forecast of 3.5%.

• The South African Reserve Bank has implemented three interest rate cuts so far this year but held rates steady at its September policy meeting to evaluate the effects of those earlier reductions.

• The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is scheduled to announce its next monetary policy decision on November 20.

• Investors focused on domestic trends will look to CPI data next week to gauge the economic health of Africa’s largest industrial hub.

• Immediate resistance is located at 17.401 (38.2%fib), any close above will push the pair towards 17.502 (Higher BB).

• Strong support is seen at 17.279(SMA 20) and break below could take the pair towards 17.069(23.6%fib).

Recommendation: Good to buy  around 17.350 with stop loss of 17.200 and target price of 17.550