The rand strengthened from its early morning levels by noon on Friday on the back of a weaker dollar, a local trader said.

At 11.54am the rand was bid at 7.6800 to the dollar from 7.7308 at its previous close.

It was bid at 11.4095 to the euro from its previous close of 11.4385.

Against sterling, it was bid at 12.7211 from 12.7705 before.

At 11.02am gold was quoted at $1044.10 an ounce.