JOHANNESBURG, Dec 5 (Reuters) - South Africa's rand strengthened on Thursday, ahead of the release of local current account data for the third quarter.

At 0714 GMT, the rand traded at 18.11 against the dollar , about 0.4% stronger than its previous close.

The dollar index was last down 0.2% against a basket of currencies.

The South African Reserve Bank will publish the country's third quarter current account data (ZACACT=ECI) , opens new tab at 0900 GMT. Analysts polled by Reuters predict a deficit of 85.5 billion rand ($4.72 billion).

On the stock market, the Top-40 (.JTOPI) , opens new tab index was up 0.2%.

South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond was marginally weaker, with the yield up 1.5 basis points to 8.95%.

($1 = 18.1167 rand)

Sign up here.

https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/south-african-rand-firms-ahead-q3-current-account-data-2024-12-05/