JOHANNESBURG, July 6 (Reuters) - The South African rand firmed slightly in early trade on Thursday as the dollar eased a bit even though the U.S. Federal Reserve's comments boosted expectations of a rate hike in July.
At 0650 GMT, the rand traded at 18.7550 against the dollar , around 0.15% stronger than its previous close.
The dollar last traded at 103.180 against a basket of global currencies, around 0.155% weaker, reversing earlier gains.
"The Fed's latest forecasts predict a mild recession in the US later this year followed by a moderately paced recovery," said First National Bank in a research note.
Like other emerging market currencies, the risk-sensitive rand often takes cues from global drivers such as the dollar, in the absence of local catalysts.
On Friday the South African Reserve Bank will publish the country's gold and foreign exchange reserves data (ZAFXRS=ECI), (ZAFXRG=ECI).
