The South African rand was steady in early trade on Tuesday ahead of the release of labour market data, with analysts expecting a modest uptick in the unemployment rate after rising fuel costs and heightened uncertainty weighed on economic activity in the second quarter of 2026.

At 0600 GMT the rand traded at 16.18 against the dollar, little changed from its 16.1950 close.

Domestic investors are awaiting unemployment data, due at 0900 GMT, to gauge the condition of the labour market of Africa's biggest economy.

Nedbank economists said in a note that the labour market data is likely to show a modest deterioration as surging fuel costs and heightened uncertainty weighed on business confidence.

"This environment appears to have encouraged firms to adopt a cautious, wait-and-see stance, delaying significant capital expenditure decisions, including hiring," Nedbank said.

South Africa's official jobless rate currently stands at 32.7%, one of the highest globally.

The statistics agency will publish manufacturing output at 1100 GMT, with analysts polled by Reuters expecting a 3.8% year-on-year decrease in June, from a 4.3% year-on-year fall in May.

South Africa's benchmark 2035 government bond was slightly weaker in early deals, as the yield rose 2 basis points to 8.325%.