South Africa's rand fell on Thursday as emerging-market currencies reeled under pressure from a firmer US dollar, while investors awaited finance minister's budget speech next week and a Moody's rating review next month for clues about the domestic economy.

At 1500 GMT, the rand was 0.86% weaker at 15.1100 per dollar, off a session-best 14.9280 on Wednesday.

On the stock market, the Top-40 closed down 0.18% at 52,033, with the broader all-share was 0.26% weaker at 57,793.

Woolworths closed down 4.42% at 42.40 rand after the company reported a 17.7% drop in half-year earnings, dragged down by a number of product issues in womenswear and disappointing Black Friday sales.

Truworths International rose 3.56% to 45.64 rand after the fashion retailer reported a rise in first-half earnings.

In fixed income, the yield on the 2030 government issue was down 4 basis points to 8.85%.