JOHANNESBURG, Feb 28 Reuters The South African rand was pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar in early trade on Tuesday ahead of the release of domestic money supply, budget, trade and unemployment data later in the day.

At 0550 GMT, the rand traded at 18.4600 against the U.S. dollar, about 0.2 weaker than its closing level on Monday.

The dollar was up around 0.2 against a basket of global currencies .

South Africa39;s January money supply figures are due at 0600 GMT, followed by fourthquarter unemployment numbers at 0930 GMT.

January trade and budget data will be released at 1200 GMT.

South Africa39;s economy is expected to register minimal growth this year as record power cuts constrain businesses of all sizes.

At its first interest rate meeting of 2023, the central bank cut this year39;s growth forecast to 0.3 from a previous estimate of 1.1.

Reporting by Alexander Winning; Editing by Sherry JacobPhillips

Source Reuters