South African Markets - Factors to watch on Dec 28

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 28 (Reuters) - The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market moves and political events may affect South African markets on Monday.

- - - -

GLOBAL MARKETS

Asian stocks rose on Monday on increasing optimism about the global economy, with Tokyo shares hitting their highest in four months, while the U.S. dollar gained against the yen and held firm against the euro.

Signs of a recovery in the United States also lifted oil prices to a four-week high.

The MSCI index of Asia Pacific stocks outside Japan rose almost 0.7 percent in thin trade as markets in Australia and New Zealand remained shut for holidays.



SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS

South Africa's rand gained as much as 1.7 percent against the dollar on Thursday in thin trading which has resulted in generally exaggerated currency moves this week, while stocks ended slightly lower.

South Africa's financial markets closed early at 1000 GMT ahead of Christmas Day, and will reopen on Monday Dec. 28.

The JSE Top-40 index of blue chips slipped 0.11 percent to 24,969.90 points, while the All-share index fell 0.1 percent to 27,580.22 points.



GOLD

Gold inched higher on Monday in light trading as many investors stayed to the sidelines after U.S. and European markets were closed late last week for Christmas.



WALL STREET

U.S. stocks rallied in a brief pre-holiday session on Thursday, closing at 2009 highs, after data showing a drop in initial jobless claims and growth in durable goods orders suggested an economic recovery was picking up steam.



EMERGING MARKETS

For the top emerging markets news, double click on



ZIMBABWE/NESTLE

Zimbabwe's government has asked food giant Nestle to resume operations in the country, saying it guaranteed the operations of the firm and its staff from interference, state media reported on Friday.



- - - -

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



BUSINESS DAY

- Bomb plot scare puts airports on alert

- Zimbabwe blames S.Africa for border delays at Beitbridge

- Emerging markets a portfolio must-have



THE STAR

- Dutch courage on Flight 253: how hero passenger wrestled Christmas Day plane attacker

- South African Airways increases security on U.S. trips

(Reporting by Serena Chaudhry) (For more Africa cover visit: http://af.reuters.com -- To comment on this story email: [e-mail]) Keywords: MARKETS SAFRICA FACTORS/ ([e-mail]; [phone]; Reuters Messaging: [e-mail]) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. 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.