JOHANNESBURG, Sept 20 (Reuters) - The South African randdropped on Friday, weighed down by concerns about domesticeconomic growth and geopolitical tensions in the Middle Eastover attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities.
At 1340 GMT, the rand was down 0.8% at 14.9450versus the dollar, putting it on course for losses of more than2% this week.
The South African Reserve Bank left its main interest rateon hold at 6.5% on Thursday, disappointing some investors whohad hoped that another rate cut could help stimulate thedomestic economy.
Some analysts believe the window for the SARB to cut ratesthis year has now closed.
The rand was also knocked by the threat of tensions betweenSaudi Arabia and Iran boiling over into hostilities, whichboosted the safe-haven appeal of the U.S. dollar.
As one of the most-traded emerging market currencies, therand is highly susceptible to swings in global risk appetite.
South African government bonds also fell on Friday, with theyield on the benchmark 2026 instrument rising 8.5basis points to 8.295%.
On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, stocks traded stronger,helped by gains for precious metals miners as gold prices roseon the Middle East tensions.
The All-share index closed up 0.5% at 56,406 asgold miner Sibanye-Stillwater gained 7.34% to 19.02rand, while Goldfields increased 3.81% to 74.73 rand.
Royal Bafokeng Platinum rose 8.4% to 39.51 rand andNortham Platinum increased 4.53% to 79.99 rand.
(Reporting by Onke Ngcuka and Alexander Winning; Editing by DanGrebler)