South Africa's rand firmer ahead of interest rate decision

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's rand firmed early on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session ahead of a central bank policy meeting where the regulator is expected to keep rates on hold over concerns of high inflation and low economic growth. * At 0650 GMT, the rand traded at 13.4350 per dollar, 0.24percent firmer from its New York close of 13.4800. * Market focus on the South African Reserve Bank's decisionon interest rates at 1500 GMT. Reuters poll sees the bodyleaving lending rate at 7 percent. * Globally, investors turning to emerging currencies andselling dollar on worries over Donald Trump's protectionisttrade stance. * Stocks were set to open higher at 0700 GMT, with the JSEsecurities exchange's Top-40 futures index up 0.3 percent. * In fixed income, the yield for the benchmark governmentbond due in 2026 cut 4 basis points to 8.73 percent. (Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Editing by Biju Dwarakanath)