BHP Billiton's chairperson, Don Argus, said on Thursday that as a standalone company BHP Billiton is in a strong financial and operating position.

South African stocks were lower at midday on Tuesday, pressured by below-forecast gross domestic product (GDP) data, which showed that the quarterly economic growth rate slowed to 2,1%, traders said. At 12.02pm, the all-share index was down 0,71%. Resources fell 1,01%, while the gold- and platinum-mining indices were off 0,42% and 0,72% respectively.

South African stocks were a mixed bag with a weaker bias at noon on Thursday, but brewer SABMiller climbed on above-forecasts year end earnings. At noon, the all-share index was down 0,16%. Resources fell 0,67%, the gold mining index was off 1,62% but the platinum mining index added 0,15%.

South African stocks remained weak at midday on Tuesday with miners the worst causalities on easing metal prices, while falling overseas markets added to selling pressures. At 12.09pm, the JSE's broader all-share index was down 0,86%, weighed by a 2,88% drop in platinum miners.

South African stocks were mixed in a thin-volume session by noon on Friday, with MTN in focus on vague newspaper reports that an Indian firm might launch a takeover bid for the local mobile telecoms firm, traders said. By midday the JSE's broader all-share index was down 0,14%. Resources fell 1,27%.

World markets were dampened by negative earnings reports from the United States on Monday, causing the JSE to pull back sharply. By midday, the JSE's broader all-share index had fallen 1,48%. The banking index pulled back 2,51% and financials retreated 1,41%.

The JSE was little changed at its softer levels by midday on Tuesday as investors took to the sidelines ahead of the United States Federal Open Market Committee's rates decision later in the day. By noon, the JSE's broader all-share index was down 0,86%. Resources fell 2,26%, the gold mining index dropped 1,76% and the platinum mining index shed 0,76%.

South African stocks were slightly lower at noon on Tuesday, pressured by miners on faltering metal prices, but improved sentiment in overseas markets restricted losses, traders said. At noon, the JSE's broader all-share index had given up 0,19% at 30 056,80.

The JSE held on to gains at midday on Tuesday as investors chased after bargains following Monday's sharp losses amid strong metal prices and firmer overseas markets. By 11.59am, the broader all-share index had added 0,82% to 27 860,790 thanks to a 3,27% gain in the platinum-mining index.

South African stocks extended losses at noon on Friday in line with overseas markets as fears of economic recession mount, but traders said details of the United States government's plan to bail out the economy might help the market stage a recovery.