South Africa's rand powered to its firmest all week against the dollar on Friday as risk appetite globally was lifted after a US official said a trade deal with China was getting close.

At 1645 GMT, the rand was 0.81% firmer at 14.6880 per dollar, its strongest level in a week.

Bonds also firmed, with the yield on the benchmark government bond due in 2026 down 5 basis points to 8.38%.

Stocks ended slightly lower in a slide led by rand hedges hurt by the stronger currency.

The Top-40 share index fell 0.46% percent while the broader all-share edged 0.31% lower.

Shares of Shoprite barely budged after the grocery giant's long-time chairman Christo Wiese stepped down on Friday after nearly three decades at the helm.

Mobile operator Telkom dipped 2.65% to 55.80 rand on the day following its announcement that it was in talks about a potential takeover of Cell C, the country's third biggest mobile carrier.