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S.Africa is about to make its rate decision, and war worries are weighing on emerging market stocks

Investors flocked to safer assets as they awaited clearer signals on whether the Iran War was truly de-escalating.

U.S. president Donald 'Trump' said Iran was eager for a?deal? after nearly four weeks fighting. This claim was in stark contrast with comments made by Iran’s foreign minister who stated that Tehran was reviewing an American proposal, but did not plan to enter into talks to end the conflict.

Jim Reid, a Deutsche Bank analyst, said that the market's attention was quickly shifting to Trump's deadline of five days. "There is still plenty of uncertainty.. given that Iran has publicly rejected the US several times."

South Africa's stocks fell nearly 2% and the rand dropped 0.4% before the central bank's rate decision. Policymakers are expected to keep the interest rates at 6.75%.

The central bank has a target for inflation, and the annual rate is easing back towards that. However, economic growth remains slow.

Rates will be closely monitored as policymakers attempt to regain momentum without reinitiating price pressures. This is especially true as an energy-driven inflation crisis has put the South African Reserve Bank and its peers in emerging markets into a 'uncomfortable' situation.

Mexico's central banks is also expected to remain steadfast later in the day.

The broad index that tracks emerging-market stocks fell 1.6%. This erased much of the gains made in the previous session. The index has fallen more than 10% in the last month, and is now only clinging to gains of 3% so far this year. It has lost much of its early-year strength.

UBS analysts said: "Despite recent volatility due to geopolitical tensions, higher oil prices and other factors, we continue to maintain a positive outlook for EM equities."

The zloty of Poland tried to rise but was stuck at a low level. Stocks fell as investors weighed up the possibility of a fuel-tax cut that would ease prices at the pumps - an action in a nation already struggling with one of Europe's largest budget deficits.

The currencies of Central and Eastern Europe were also subdued.

Hungary announced on Wednesday that it would gradually stop natural gas deliveries to Ukraine until the Druzhba Pipeline resumes crude oil flows. Kyiv’s international?dollar bond prices fell by a little over a cent.

From Warsaw to New Delhi to Sao Paulo and Seoul, governments in the emerging world are scrambling to protect their economies from the effects of a conflict that has been raging for a month.

Oil prices are soaring after the Strait of Hormuz was closed. This has rattled?markets, and forced central banks in emerging markets to rethink their policies.

At the beginning of the year, some countries, such as Hungary and Brazil, were planning to reduce interest rates. As the inflation risk is increasing due to war, these countries are forced to think about the possibility of a move in the other direction. (Reporting and editing by Arun K. Koyyur in Bengaluru)

(source: Reuters)