The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa was still stuck in negative territory by midday on Monday, although off the weaker levels seen at the opening. Dealers said that the firmness in the rand was dragging the market lower, as were softer European equities and the weak close in the US on Friday.
At noon the all share index was 0,44% lower, the all share industrial index was flat (-0,07%), the financial index was 0,43% down, the resources index shed 0,70%, the platinum index was 0,60% weaker and the banks index was 0,18% in the red.
However, the gold index jumped 3,02%.
The rand was trading at 6,95 to the dollar from 7,02 when the JSE closed on Friday, while gold was quoted at $383,63 an ounce from $378,40/oz at the JSE’s last close.
“We are looking weaker across the board, with the exception of gold shares which are taking cheer from the firmer bullion price. The stronger rand and the softer global trend for equities is dragging the JSE down, and the market has also fallen prey to some profit taking,” a dealer commented. He added that activity had been relatively subdued thus far.
BHP Billiton dominated the downside on the all share index, dropping 2,46% or R1,35 rand to R53,45. The share went ex-dividend of 55,41 cents on Monday.
Anglo American fell 1,28% or R1,90 to R146,30 and Sasol gave back 1,19% or R1,12 to R92,90.
Other big losers included MTN Group, which shed 1,05% or 25 cents to R23,65, Richemont declined 7 cents to R15,85 and AngloPlat was 1,65% or R5 rand lower at R298.
Standard Bank was 10 cents weaker at R34,60 and FirstRand slipped 2 cents to R8,07.
Old Mutual gave back 11 cents to R11,89, Sanlam lost 6 cents to R8,70 and Liberty International was 1,32% or 99 cents softer at R74.
Investec plc was 1,22% or R1,39 lower at R112,60 while Alexander Forbes shed 2,69% or 29 cents to R10,51.
Earlier in the day Alexander Forbes reported a 24% decline in headline earnings per share to 74.9 cents for the six months ended September 30 from 98.8 cents a year ago. Revenue from operations was 10% lower at 2.202 billion rand from 2.436 billion rand a year ago.
Gains in gold shares dominated the upside of the JSE.
AngloGold added 3,73% or R10,25 to R285,25, Gold Fields notched up 2,45% or R2,15 to R89,75 and Harmony picked up 3,62% or R3,40 to R97,40.
NAC added 3,47% or 25 cents to R7,45, Barloworld gained 1,22% or 75 cents to R62,05 and SABMiller was 14 cents stronger at R62,39. – I-Net Bridge