Negative sentiment saw a sell-off across world markets at midday on Wednesday, adding to profit-taking on the local bourse.
At 12.04pm, the all-share index was 0,97% lower than its close of 29Â 590,811 on Tuesday. It was trading at 29Â 303,960 at midday on Wednesday.
Resources gave up 1,08%, the gold-mining index lost 1,94% and the platinum-mining index was off 1,29%. Industrials eased 0,63% while financials weakened 1,17% and banks shed 1,46%.
The rand was bid at 6,84 to the United States dollar from 6,82 when the JSE closed on Tuesday while gold was quoted at $678,10 a troy ounce from $683,90 at the JSE’s last close.
“There is negative sentiment across the world. The Dow came down over 200 points and there was selling coming off from the US market. The JSE had a bit of a bounce from the inflation figures [CPI and CPIX] released today [Wednesday], which remained stable, but the local market should remain flat for the rest of the week,” a Johannesburg-based trader said.
At 12.04pm, Anglo American was down 1,36% to R437,80 and BHP Billiton was 85 cents lower at R209,65.
Among gold miners, AngloGold Ashanti was R5,95 weaker at R304,50 and Gold Fields slipped R2,50 at R119.
Anglo Platinum pulled back R10 to R1Â 090 and Aquarius Platinum gave up R3,23 to R207.
Group Five shed 0,32% to R62,80 and PPC tumbled 2,09% to R46. Murray and Roberts weakened 1,33% to R74,25.
Among banks, Absa was 0,78% lower at R136,93 and FirstRand eased 1,22% to R24,30. Nedbank lost 1,62% to R139 and Standard Bank retreated 2,05% to R107,30.
Mondi Ltd pulled back 1,02% to R63,20 and Paper maker Sapp fell 0,90% to R120,90.
In the food and beverage sector, brewer giant SAB Miller climbed 0,96% to R184,75 but Distell was off 1,43% to R62,10.
Mobile telecommunications company MTN Group fell 1,24% to R103,70 and personal goods company Richemont was 1,49% lower at R44,32. — I-Net Bridge