ALAN FINLAY, Johannesburg | Wednesday 4.40pm.
MARKETS kept low on Wednesday ahead of the futures close out and Thursday’s public holiday.
The all share traded 30 points in the red by midday, only lifting its head slightly to close 0,02% or nearly 2 points up.
By late afternoon industrials had made a slight comeback, the index closing 0,37% or 32 points down after being nearly 39 points down at midday. Financials ended lower 0,12% or 12 points after being 20 points in the red at noon. The gold board closed play 0,43% or 5 points up.
By late afternoon gold was trading on international markets at $279,80 to the ounce.
“It’s basically the beginning of the December holidays,” said Standard and Poor’s George Glynos, who added that Tuesday’s profit-taking was a result of a market overheated by pre-futures close out trade.
However Glynos said there still might be some elasticity in the JSE before the new year.
“Trade is likely to quieten down, but we may still see gains, particularly if investors feel next year holds good prospects. Blue-chips are still the safe bet ahead of Y2K,” he said.
The rand gained slightly against the pound and at 4.30pm was trading at R9,85 to the British currency. It slipped against the dollar and at the same time was trading at R6,14 to the US currency.
Asian markets lost some ground. The Hang-Seng fared amongst the worst ending the day 2,81% or 457 points down. Tokyo’s Nikkei closed 0,15% or 27 points in the red.