South Africa's rand flat ahead of S&P review, stocks fall

South Africa's rand weakened on Thursday as the dollar regained recent losses on improved economic data, while stocks kicked off the last month of the year on the backfoot as lower bullion prices hit gold mining shares. At 1550 GMT the rand had slipped 0.05 percent weaker to 14.0800 per dollar, struggling for clear direction ahead of a ratings decision by Standard & Poor's due on Friday. "The decision this week remains a close call, fifty-fifty in my opinion," said economist at Sanlam Arthur