South Africa's rand extends decline to 2nd day on growth worries

South African rand notes in a file photo. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko·Reuters· (Reuters)

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's rand fell for a second day on Thursday after Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan cut economic growth forecasts and predicted wider budget deficits in his mid-term budget. * Rand at 13.9575 versus the greenback by 0640 GMT, 0.47 percent weaker than Wednesday's close of 13.89. * "The immediate outlook is not clear given remaining uncertainty, now that the medium term budget policy statement is out the way, focus will shift to next week's court appearance by Gordhan and the political games that may resume." -Standard Bank * Stocks open slightly lower. * Government bonds were flat with the yield on benchmark 2026 instrument at 8.910 percent. (Reporting by Tiisetso Motsoeneng; Editing by Louise Ireland)

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