A strong rand and basket-selling by futures players drove the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) into the red on Tuesday, with the overall index more than 1% weaker in noon trade. Softer world markets added to the negative tone.
At 11.56pm, the all-share index was down 1,11%, while the all-share industrial and financial indices were 0,46% and 0,53% weaker respectively. Resources retreated 1,85%. The platinum mining index lost 0,55%, while the banks index dipped 0,23%. On the upside, the gold mining index gained 0,51%.
The rand was trading at R6,83 per dollar from R6,97 when the JSE closed on Monday, while gold was quoted at $375,85 an ounce from $372,30/oz at the JSE’s last close.
”The JSE is down mainly because of the rand. We are seeing basket-selling from futures players, which is not helping the JSE’s cause. A look at volumes indicates that activity is very much derivatives driven,” a dealer said.
Less than R600-million worth of shares had traded on the JSE.
The dealer noted that futures markets worldwide were in the red, with US futures pointing to a negative opening across the pond.
London-listed diversified resources group Anglo American led the JSE’s downside, falling 3,32% or R4,55 to R132,65. It was followed by BHP Billiton, which surrendered 2,97% or R1,50 rand to R48,95.
Both Anglo and BHP Billiton were on Tuesday downgraded to ”hold” from ”buy” by Deutsche Bank.
AngloPlat was down 1,51% or R4 at R261.
Swiss-listed luxury goods group Richemont was down 1,13% or 16 cents at R14,05, London-listed beverages group SABMIller slipped 1,17% or R1,24 to R54,85 and pulp and paper producer Sappi shed 1,24% or R1,10 to R87,70.
Steel producer Iscor was 2,44% or 50 cents weaker at R20.
On the financial front, London-listed Old Mutual was 1,9% or 22 cents in the red at R11,38. Liberty International Plc lost 1,21% or 90 cents to R73,90. Remgro retreated 50 cents to R59,50 and banking group FirstRand dipped five cents to R7,60.
On the JSE’s upside, telecommunications group Telkom soared 4,35% or R2 to R48 — its best level since its March debut.
The stronger bullion price lifted gold stocks, with Gold Fields gaining 1,05% or R1 to R95 and Harmony trading 1,07% or R1 higher at R95,90. — I-Net Bridge