The South African Rand drifted higher against the U.S. dollar in early New York deals on Thursday, as the South African central bank hiked interest rate by a quarter-point, citing concerns over inflation breaching the bank target.

The central bank lifted up the key rate by 25 basis points to 7 percent, from 6.75 percent.

"Given upside risks to inflation forecast and the protracted period of the expected breach, MPC decided that further tightening was required," the governor of the Reserve Bank of South Africa Lesetja Kganyago said.

The rand that closed yesterday's trading at 15.6350 against the greenback climbed to a 3-day high of 15.2750. The rand may find resistance around the 14.00 zone.

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