/ 10 April 2000

Gold fall weighs down JSE

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Friday 5.30pm

THE Johannesburg Stock Exchange ended marginally weaker on Friday weighed by a fall in the gold index despite steady bullion and ignoring strength in some financial and information technology stocks.

The all share index closed the week down 17 points or 0,22% after a quiet day’s trade ahead of the weekend. The gold board, however, shed 35 points or 3,2% to 1038 even as bullion ticked up above $280 an ounce before settling at that level.

US market activity continues to dominate the JSE. At the close in Johannesburg, the Dow was down 12 points or 0,13% and the tech-laden Nasdaq was up 74 points or 1,74% to 4341.

Industrial stock put in an unimpressive performance as they end slimly stronger but IT stocks showed stamina as the index rose 1% to 1026 led by its largest component Dimension Data which put on 1,95% to R52,20. The company plans to list on the London Stock Exchange in the months ahead. — Reuters