JOHANNESBURG, March 18 (Reuters) - The following scheduled economic events, equity and currency market moves may affect South African markets on Wednesday.
ECONOMIC EVENTS
February consumer inflation data ZACPIY=ECI
January retail sales data ZARET=ECI
SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS
The South African rand was flat on Tuesday as market participants monitored the intensifying conflict in the Middle East and awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve's upcoming policy decision..JZAR/
On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index .JTOPI was last up 0.6%.
GLOBAL MARKETS
Asian shares rallied on Wednesday as oil prices paused their gains, with markets turning to the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting to see how policymakers will balance growth and inflation risks amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. MKTS/GLOB
WALL STREET
Wall Street ended higher on Tuesday, with gains in Delta Air Lines and other travel stocks, while the Federal Reserve began its two-day policy meeting amid investors' worries about high oil prices and the Middle East conflict..N
GOLD
Gold prices edged lower on Wednesday as investors remained cautious, assessing the economic impact of the Middle East conflict ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy decision.GOL/
EMERGING MARKETS
For the top emerging markets news, double click on nTOPEMRG
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Some of the main stories out in the South African press:
BUSINESS DAY
- Treasury gives go-ahead to shift funds to combat foot-and-mouth disease
- MPs slam 'weak' SA laws as Canal+, Multichoice deal comes under spotlight
NEWS24
- SA's oil reserves: Crude reality behind the safety net
- Emirates flights out, Ethiopian Airlines in: How the war on Iran is changing SA travel
(Compiled by Anathi Madubela)
((Anathi.Madubela@thomsonreuters.com))