Issues set to come to the fore on domestic financial markets today include currency movements and commodity prices. The rand's progress will be dependent on whether the gold price recovers after falling in New York trade to its weakest level in two weeks, while investors will focus on the Euro as well to see whether it supports the domestic currency against the US dollar.

The rand is steady this morning. Dealers say the currency has lost a bit of ground due to importer demand for foreign currencies. On the capital market, the yield on the R157 government bond closed yesterday at 8.24%

US and European markets

Bank and technology shares lifted US stocks yesterday on hopes a revival in business demand will boost corporate profits. Banks' shares rallied to their highest in 16 months, adding to recent momentum, amid bets an improving economy will stoke loan demand.

Tech stocks rallied for a fifth straight day, helped by data showing US wholesale inventories fell unexpectedly in January and sales hit their highest in more than a year The Dow Jones added three points to 10 567. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 18 points to 2 359.  The S & 500 gained five points to 1 146.

Banking and commodity stocks supported Europe's markets yesterday. London's FTSE 100 collected 38 points to 5 641. In Paris, the CAC 40 has advanced 34 points to 3 944. Frankfurt's DAX climbed 51 points to 5 937.

Asian markets

Markets in the Asia-Pacific region are firmer this morning. In Tokyo, the Nikkei added 41 points to 10 604. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng gave up 135 points to 21 073. Sydney's ASX dipped 13 points to 4 807. Platinum is trading at $15.87/oz and the spot price of Brent crude oil is trading at $79.31 a barrel.