Futures edged down slightly on Monday after data showed that orders for manufactured goods dropped unexpectedly in the US in April.
Near-dated futures fell by 0.22%? or 63 points? to 29?130.
The total number of contracts that exchanged hands was 44?410 from 41?743 on Friday.
The rand was trading at 8.47 to the US dollar? from 8.57 at its previous close? and the spot price of gold was at US$1?614.12 an ounce from $1?623.68.
The US commerce department reported that orders for manufactured goods dropped 0.6% during April? while economists had forecast orders would rise by 0.2%.
Asian stocks ended lower on Monday? with Japan's Nikkei losing 1.71% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng shedding 2.01%
The steep falls came after poor unemployment data in the US cast further doubts over the health of the global economy? Dow Jones Newswires reported.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.33% in late morning trade on Monday.
End
BusinessLive, Tel: 27(0)11 280 0600
