MARKET NEWS
South African rand steady ahead of inflation, retail sales data - REUTERS
JOHANNESBURG, Nov 20 (Reuters) - South Africa's rand was little changed early on Wednesday ahead of highly anticipated local inflation and retail sales data.
At 0851 GMT, the rand traded at 18.05 against the dollar , not far from its previous close.
Trade in the local currency has been volatile in recent sessions as risk appetite waned amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
Local investor focus will be on Statistics South Africa, which will release October inflation figures at 0800 GMT and retail sales data at 1100 GMT.
