South African Markets - Factors to watch on Aug 28

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

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GLOBAL MARKETS

Oil prices climbed for a fourth day on Thursday on worries a storm may gather force to become the worst threat to U.S. offshore production since 2005, while the euro rose on tough inflation talk from the European Central Bank.

Asian stocks were little changed, but commodity-related shares received a boost from crude prices, which have recovered $7 since hitting a three-month low two weeks ago to trade above $118 a barrel.

For a story, please double click on [ID:nLS324909].

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is seeking commercial contracts with foreign companies to reprocess spent nuclear fuel, a senior official said on Wednesday.

The country plans to expand its nuclear industry and diversify its energy mix as it battles a crippling power shortage which has hit key mining, smelting and manufacturing sectors, trimming growth in Africa's strongest economy.

For a story, please double click on [ID:nLR726743].

SOUTH AFRICAN MARKETS

South African stocks rallied on Wednesday as gold prices buoyed miners and Murray & Roberts (MURJ.J) rose on strong results while bonds got a boost from data which reinforced expectations that interest rates had peaked.

The Johannesburg Top-40 index .JTOPI of blue-chip stocks gained 1.58 percent to 25,370.27 points, while the broader All Share index climbed 1.49 percent to 27,426.59 points.

For Wednesday's South African financial markets closing report, double click on [ID:nLR141867].  Continued...