# The rand softens as oil prices rise, Fed in focus

> The rand weakened in early trade on Wednesday as higher oil prices, lifted by a Saudi refinery attack, raised inflation concerns. Traders expected the US Federal Reserve to hold rates that day but priced an 84% chance of a December hike.

- Date: 2026-11-03 · published 2026-11-03T09:11:11.763Z
- Category: macro · region South Africa · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/77403-the-rand-softens-as-oil-prices-rise-fed-in-focus
- Commodities: [Crude Oil (Brent)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/BRENT.md), [Crude Oil (WTI)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/WTI.md), [South African Rand (ZAR per USD)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/USDZAR.md)

## Why it matters

Higher crude raises input and energy costs for feed producers and can strengthen the dollar against emerging-market currencies such as the rand, which affects import costs for South African feed buyers.

## Read by commodity

- WTI: bullish ▲
- BRENT: bullish ▲
- USDZAR: bullish ▲

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| BRENT | 2026-10-28 | [South African rand softens as oil prices rise, Fed in focus \| CNBC Africa](https://feedsoft.ai/events/17333-south-african-rand-softens-as-oil-prices-rise-fed-in-focus-cnbc-africa.md) | -4.7% | — |
| BRENT | 2026-09-28 | [Rand weakens as oil prices rise and rate-hike fears support dollar](https://feedsoft.ai/events/17765-rand-weakens-as-oil-prices-rise-and-rate-hike-fears-support-dollar.md) | +6.5% | +1.3% |
| BRENT | 2023-07-26 | [The increase in the price of oil led to an increase in the prices of gas and nitrogen fertilizers](https://feedsoft.ai/events/7009-the-increase-in-the-price-of-oil-led-to-an-increase-in-the-prices-of-gas-and.md) | +1.9% | +1.0% |
| BRENT | 2026-09-08 | [Ringgit ends lower as oil prices rise, Fed decision looms \| Malay Mail](https://feedsoft.ai/events/17731-ringgit-ends-lower-as-oil-prices-rise-fed-decision-looms-malay-mail.md) | +10.4% | +7.7% |
| BRENT | 2024-01-30 | [Crude oil prices today: WTI, Brent rise after IMF forecast](https://feedsoft.ai/events/32274-crude-oil-prices-today-wti-brent-rise-after-imf-forecast.md) | -5.5% | +0.1% |
| WTI | 2023-07-26 | [The increase in the price of oil led to an increase in the prices of gas and nitrogen fertilizers](https://feedsoft.ai/events/7009-the-increase-in-the-price-of-oil-led-to-an-increase-in-the-prices-of-gas-and.md) | +2.1% | +0.7% |
| WTI | 2026-05-28 | [Palm Oil Prices Rise As Crude Oil Gains - Finimize](https://feedsoft.ai/events/19380-palm-oil-prices-rise-as-crude-oil-gains-finimize.md) | +8.1% | -20.5% |
| WTI | 2024-01-30 | [Crude oil prices today: WTI, Brent rise after IMF forecast](https://feedsoft.ai/events/32274-crude-oil-prices-today-wti-brent-rise-after-imf-forecast.md) | -5.2% | +3.1% |

## Sources

- journalnews.co.za: https://www.journalnews.co.za/news/the-rand-softens-as-oil-prices-rise-fed-in-focus

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.