South African rand pressured by stronger dollar, local fuel price hike

JOHANNESBURG, Oct 5 (Reuters) - The South African rand was under pressure on Monday, looking to extend a run of four straight weekly losses as a stronger dollar and higher domestic fuel prices weighed on sentiment.

• At 1449 GMT the rand traded at 16.68 against the dollar , down roughly 0.2% from its previous close

• The currency has weakened for four consecutive weeks, recording its steepest decline last week as a stronger dollar and higher US Treasury yields dampened appetite for emerging-market assets

• South Africa's government said on Monday that the country's regulated petrol price would rise by as much as 12% this week and the wholesale diesel price by 10%, reflecting higher global energy costs linked to the Iran conflict

• Africa's largest economy imports most of its fuel, leaving it exposed to swings in international oil prices

• Further weighing on the rand, data showed South Africa's private sector contracted in September at its fastest pace since December as new orders slumped and supply and fuel-related cost pressures intensified

• On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index .JTOPI was last down 0.2%.

• South Africa's benchmark 2035 government bond weakened, as the yield rose 2 basis points to 8.88%