South African Markets - Factors to watch on October 1

JOHANNESBURG, Oct 1 (Reuters) - The following scheduled economic events, equity and currency market moves may affect South African markets on Thursday.

ECONOMIC EVENTS

September manufacturing purchasing managers' index.

September vehicle sales.

SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS

The South African rand firmed on Wednesday as investors digested month-end domestic economic data that offered clues on the health of the economy.

On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index .JTOPI was up about 0.2%..JZAR/

GLOBAL MARKETS

Asian stocks were subdued on Thursday and global bonds remained under pressure after a brutal September as investors weighed a slower than expected rise in US inflation in August, reducing the likelihood of a rate increase this month.MKTS/GLOB

WALL STREET

Nasdaq climbed on Wednesday and the S&P 500 dipped, but both indexes notched their second straight quarterly gains as a softer than anticipated inflation reading cooled expectations that Federal Reserve policymakers would raise rates in October..N

GOLD

Gold edged higher on Thursday after the US inflation report tempered expectations for a Federal Reserve rate rise this month, with markets looking to coming jobs data for further policy signals.GOL/

Some of the main stories in the South African press:

BUSINESS DAY

- ‘We need our own’: Coega could host oil refinery, says CEO.

- SA tourist numbers rise 1.4% but visitors from Southern African Development Community countries still dominate