The rand is trading firmer this morning on a day set to be dominated by a number of factors. This includes bouyant global markets after the release of better-than-expected US GDP for the third quarter. Analysts say that this news could stop the recent broad slide in riskier asset classes and currencies such as the rand. 

The yield on the R157 government bond ended yesterday at 8.5%. 

US and European Markets 

US stocks yesterday logged their best one-day percentage gain in three months as investors saw data showing the US economy returned to growth in the third quarter as brightening the outlook for profits. The GDP data showed the economy expanded at an annual rate of 3.5% in the third quarter, suggesting it was emerging from the worst recession in 70 years. The Dow Jones jumped 200 points or 2.1% to 9 963. The Nasdaq Composite rose 38 points or 1.8% to 2 098. The S&P 500 shot up 23 points or 2.3% to 1 066. 

European markets were buoyed by the US data. London's FTSE rose 57 points to 5 138. In Paris, the CAC collected 50 points or 1.4% to 3 714. Frankfurt's DAX shot up 91 points or 1.7% to 5 587. 

Asian Markets 

Markets in the Asia-Pacific region are firmer this morning. In Tokyo, the Nikkei jumped 148 points or 1.5% to 10 039. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng shot up 659 points or 3.1% to 21 924. Sydney's ASX collected 68 points or 1.5% to 4 643. 

Platinum is trading at $1 333.50 and Gold at $1 047.40 an ounce. The spot price of Brent crude oil has advanced to $76.91 a barrel.