The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market moves and political events may affect South African markets on Friday.

DIARY

For South Africa corporate diary, click on

For southern and South Africa diary, click on

ECONOMIC EVENTS

- South Africa sells 2.1 billion rand spread over the 2036 , 2041 and 2048 bonds. 0900 GMT

SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS

South African stocks gained on Thursday, pushing major indices back towards a record high set earlier this week as battered retailers extended a recovery to a third straight day.

The rand firmed on the dollar in afternoon trade but was struggling to make significant gains after soft manufacturing data hit prospects for economic growth in South Africa.

GLOBAL MARKETS

Asian shares edged up on Friday after China's trade data for January handily beat forecasts to underscore a recovery trend, but prices were capped by investors seeking to book profits before next week's Chinese new year holidays.

WALL STREET

U.S. stocks declined on Thursday, taking a step back from their recent advance, prompted by comments by the ECB president on the euro and Europe's outlook.

GOLD

Gold regained its footing on Friday after falling in the previous session as the euro weakened on concerns over the health of the euro zone economy.

EMERGING MARKETS

For the top emerging markets news, double click on

- - - -

Some of the main stories out in the South African press:

BUSINESS DAY

- Give miners chance to change - Cutifani

- Higher tax for SA's big earners 'just a matter of time'

BUSINESS REPORT

- Glencore 'may list on the JSE' after Xstrata deal

- Factory output data warn of more job losses

Keywords: MARKETS SAFRICA FACTORS/

COPYRIGHT

Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. All rights reserved.

The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.