(Updates prices at 0910 GMT)

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Commodities fall on China demand worries

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Czech, Hungary economic growth data disappoints

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Ethiopia's international bond rises after IMF deal

By Lisa Pauline Mattackal

July 30 (Reuters) - Emerging market stocks slipped while

a gauge of currencies edged higher as investors awaited the

outcome of key central bank meetings, while a slump in commodity

prices on worries about demand in China kept sentiment cautious.

MSCI's index tracking emerging market equities

fell 0.3%, as rate decisions from the Bank of Japan and the U.S.

Federal Reserve were awaited on Wednesday. The index is on track

to fall by about 1% in July as a rout in U.S. tech stocks

weighed on global stocks.

A currencies gauge edged up about 0.1%

against a largely unchanged U.S. dollar.

Worries about demand from China, the world's second-largest

economy, also weighed after the country's Politburo meeting.

While pledging to support the economy, there were no specific

new stimulus efforts announced.

"Most investors are waiting for central bank movements, with

many trimming holdings, and as optimism wanes over China's

government stimulus plans," said Ahmed Azzam, regional financial

market analyst at Equiti Group.

Oil prices briefly touched their lowest since early

June, and were last about flat on the day, while prices of iron

ore, copper and other metals fell.

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep rates on hold

at its meeting on Wednesday, but investors will watch for a

dovish tone from policymakers to gauge whether market bets on a

September rate cut are on the right track.

Looser U.S. monetary policy would be a boon for riskier

emerging market assets, brightening their relative appeal.

China's blue-chip stocks and Hong Kong shares fell for a

second straight day.

In Europe, the Czech crown was about flat and the

Hungarian forint weakened 0.3% against the euro after

weak economic data.

Weak foreign demand weighed on industry in both central

European economies, with Hungary's gross domestic product

falling 0.2% on a quarterly basis, the first contraction since

the first quarter of 2023. Versus the euro, the forint fell to a

three-week low.

Meanwhile, in the Czech Republic, increasing domestic demand

helped buoy the economy but both quarterly and annual growth

figures were a touch below forecasts from analysts polled by

Reuters.

The Czech central bank is expected to ease policy by 25

basis points at its meeting later this week.

"The Czech koruna remains our favourite currency for this

week given our hawkish expectations from the CNB meeting,"

analysts at ING said in a note.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia's only international sovereign bond

jumped to its highest level since 2021 after the country secured

a long-awaited support programme with the International Monetary

Fund for $3.4 billion in financing.

The $1 billion dollar bond, which is in

the process of being restructured, rose more than 2 cents on the

dollar to 77.7 cents, Tradeweb data showed.

South Africa's rand regained ground against the

dollar, strengthening about 0.7% to 18.32 versus the greenback

after falling in the previous session.

HIGHLIGHTS:

** Foreign investors unhappy after India restores curbs on

some bond purchases

** S&P cuts Bangladesh's debt rating to 'B+' from 'BB'

** Bank of Korea board split on rate cut timing amid hot

housing market, minutes show

For TOP NEWS across emerging markets

For CENTRAL EUROPE market report, see

For TURKISH market report, see

For RUSSIAN market report, see