The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa was in positive territory in noon trade on Wednesday, propelled by a firmer close on Wall Street overnight and a slightly softer rand. However, volumes were very light as players took to the sidelines ahead of the US Federal Open Market Committee decision on interest rates due in the evening.
At 11h52, the all share and all share industrial indices were up 0,60% and 0,76% respectively. Resources climbed 0,64%, the gold mining index gained 0,47% and the platinum mining index jumped 1,04%. Financials were 0,37% firmer, while the banks index was 0,2% in the black.
The rand was quoted at 6,31 per dollar from 6,26 when the JSE closed on Tuesday, while gold was quoted at $393,50 an ounce from $394,60/oz at the JSE’s last close.
“The market is very quiet. Everyone is waiting for the US rates decision, which could give direction to the dollar and other US markets,” a dealer said.
The Fed is widely expected to announce a 25 basis point rate hike, but the market will also be paying close attention to the statement that accompanies the decision.
“The gold price is lower and European markets are down a touch, but we are firmer, just on the slightly softer rand and the Dow being up overnight,” she continued.
In morning trade, London-listed diversified resources group Anglo American added 67 cents to R130,07, while BHP Billiton bounced 31 cents to R54,50.
Oil and chemicals group Sasol strengthened 70 cents to R97,60. Gold Fields gained 55 cents to R65,70 and Harmony was 1,11% or 72 cents higher at R65,72.
Impala Platinum leaped 2% or nine rand to R460, while AngloPlat advanced two rand to R236.
Swiss-listed luxury goods group Richemont rose 1,64% or 27 cents to R16,70 and London-listed beverages group SABMiller strengthened 1,17% or 94 cents to R81.
Cellular network operator MTN Group surged 1,95% or 55 cents to R28,80 and Telkom ticked up 65 cents to R79,50.
London-listed IT group Dimension Data rocketed 5,97% or 20 cents to R3,55 and electronics group Reunert rallied 3,86% or 90 cents to R24,20.
On the financial front, London-listed Old Mutual firmed 1,01% or 12 cents to R11,97.
Standard Bank strengthened 30 cents to R43,50 and Absa added 15 cents to R50,60.
RMB Holdings jumped 1,25% or 20 cents to R16,20.
On the market’s downside, FirstRand fell five cents to R10,15 and Nedcor eased 30 cents to R61,95.
Transport and logistics group Imperial (IPL) tumbled 1,96% or R1,37 to R68,62, while beverages group ABI weakened 50 cents to R67,50. – I-Net Bridge