JOHANNESBURG, Sept 13 (Reuters) – The following political and economic events, company announcements, equity and currency market moves may affect South African markets on Friday.

POLITICAL EVENTS

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa will sign a contested education bill into law.

Ramaphosa will engage with the media on the Seventh Administration and the government of national unity.

ECONOMIC EVENTS

South Africa’s government will hold its weekly auction of inflation-linked bonds.

COMPANIES

Retailer Mr Price will host a capital markets day.

SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS

South Africa’s rand inched higher against a weaker dollar on Thursday, with the next big local drivers – inflation data and an interest rate decision – due next week.

On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the blue-chip Top-40 index closed up more than 1.1%. South Africa’s benchmark 2030 government bond was little moved, the yield at 9%.

GLOBAL MARKETS

The dollar slumped to its lowest this year on Friday versus the yen while gold hit a record high as investors ratcheted up bets for a super-sized Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week.

WALL STREET

Wall Street’s main indexes closed higher on Thursday after the latest inflation data reinforced expectations for a 25-basis point rate cut by the Federal Reserve, while Moderna’s weak revenue forecast made it the S&P 500’s biggest percentage loser.

GOLD

Gold prices soared to an all-time high on Friday as the dollar weakened amid the prospect of a reduction in U.S. interest rates, while palladium has gained 15% so far this week.

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Some of the main stories out in the South African press:

BUSINESS DAY

– Pravin Gordhan, former minister and struggle veteran, has died

FIN 24

– FirstRand opts for caution as it pencils in only three rate cuts for SA

– Radioactive waste, small reactors and geopolitics will shape SA’s nuclear plans

(Compiled by Tannur Anders; Editing by Mark Potter)