The South African rand was steady in early trade on Thursday, ahead of the release of a local purchasing managers' index (PMI) as well as a US payroll report which investors will pore over to try and predict the US Federal Reserve's next steps.

At 10:00 the rand traded at 17.52 against the US dollar.

Domestic-focussed investors will look to the S&P Global June whole-economy PMI at 0715 GMT for a window on business conditions in Africa's biggest economy.

On Tuesday, a gauge of local manufacturing sentiment showed improvement in June, reaching its second-highest level this year, though output was still weak.

The dollar last traded flat against a basket of currencies as markets awaited jobs data due later in the day as well as updates on trade negotiations ahead of July 9 when US tariffs are set to take effect.

The non-farm payrolls report is set for an addition of 110 000 jobs in June versus 139 000 in May, a Reuters poll showed.

South Africa's benchmark 2035 government bond was slightly weaker in early deals, with the yield rising 1.5 basis point to 9.85%.