South African rand little changed ahead of inflation, retail sales data

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's rand was little changed early on Wednesday, ahead of local inflation and retail sales figures.

At 0642 GMT, the rand traded at 19.0500 against the dollar, near its previous close of 19.0475.

Statistics South Africa will release March inflation data at 0800 GMT followed by February retail sales figures at 1100 GMT.

Economists polled by Reuters expect headline inflation to slow slightly to 5.4% year-on-year in March from 5.6% in February.

"The rand is expected to continue in an 18.85/19.15 range in the short term," Andre Cilliers, currency strategist at TreasuryONE, said.

South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond was marginally stronger in early deals, with the yield down 0.5 basis points to 10.855%.

(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Andrew Heavens)