TUESDAY, 11.00AM
THE Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s all gold index edged back over the 1 000 point mark on Monday for the first time in three weeks, but the rand took a beating, falling to a six-month low against the US dollar.
Following Friday’s close at 992, the gold index leapt to an opening 1 014, climbing to 1 022,5 in early trade before weakening to 1 008, still 16 points or 0.16% up, and in lijne with bullion’s weekend moves, where it saw $329/oz at one stage.
The rand’s fortunes, however, were in direct counterpoint, with the local currency falling from R4,5635 to R4,5720, a level it last saw on Januray 27.
Gold’s steady rise since Friday has not instilled any optimism in dealers, however, with the market expected to remain jittery, and some even expecting bullion to fall back below the $320/oz levels it touched last week.