Rand largely flat, market awaits trade

South Africa's rand was mostly flat against the dollar on Friday as the market awaited trade data that would give a clue on the state of the export sector.

* At 0643 GMT rand trades at 14.1720 to dollar, down just 0.26 percent from Thursday's close.

* Rand off a session high of 14.0800 reached earlier in Friday's session, its strongest since Nov. 2015.

* Weak economic outlook likely to cap rand gains, with Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan warning growth of 4 to 5 percent will not be seen for some time.

* June trade data due at 1200 GMT, 7.2 billion rand surplus expected.

* Local bourse to open up slightly at 0700 GMT, blue chip futures index adds 0.29 percent.

* Government bonds edge higher, yield on 2026 benchmark dips half a basis point to 8.74 percent.