The South African rand strengthened on Thursday as the dollar tumbled after U.S. jobs growth came in weaker than expected, while oil prices declined as concerns over supply disruptions eased following progress in U.S.-Iran talks.
At 1244 GMT, the rand traded at 16.24 against the dollar FX_IDC:USDZAR, 1.0% stronger from its previous close.
The dollar index TVC:DXY, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, was last down about 0.6% after U.S. nonfarm payrolls rose by just 57,000 in June, well below economists' expectations for a 110,000 increase, although the unemployment rate fell to 4.2% from 4.3%.
Oil prices fell nearly 2% after Qatar said and the U.S. had made progress in talks over the Strait of Hormuz.
In the absence of major domestic data, the rand, like other emerging market currencies, tends to take direction from global factors, including U.S. economic releases and geopolitical developments.
On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index TVC:SA40 was up about 1.5%.
South Africa's benchmark 2035 government bond (ZAR2035=) was slightly firmer, as the yield fell 1 basis point to 8.26%.