The JSE Securities Exchange (JSE) was in positive territory at midday on Monday, lifted by heavyweight dual-listed stocks. The market was otherwise quiet, as could be expected considering the Labour Day holiday in the United States.
At noon, the all-share and all-share industrial indices were 0,56% and 0,54% stronger respectively. Resources rose 0,81% in morning trade and the platinum-mining index jumped 0,97%, but the gold-mining index was flat (-0,07%). Financials inched up 0,16%, while the banks index eased 0,12%.
The rand was quoted at R6,64 per dollar from R6,63 when the JSE closed on Friday, while gold was quoted at $401,55 an ounce from $400,23/oz at the JSE’s last close.
“We are tracking the dual-listeds, which are ticking up on the back of the slightly weaker currency. The likes of Anglo and Billiton have perked up off their lows from Friday,” a dealer said.
He added, however, that volumes were thin and that there was nothing spectacular about the bourse’s gains.
The rand was trading at about R6,61 per dollar when the JSE opened on Monday.
London-listed Anglo American advanced 1,48% or R2,20 to R150,70 on Monday morning to lead the JSE’s upside. It was just less than 1% stronger in the United Kingdom.
BHP Billiton was 45 cents better at R62,75.
AngloPlat added R2,85 to R294,85 and Impala leaped 1,11% or R6,01 to R546.
AngloGold Ashanti ticked up 50 cents to R232,50, but Harmony retreated 60 cents to R78,70.
Petrochemicals group Sasol gained 50 cents to R115.
On the industrial market, Telkom bounced 1,87% or R1,40 after plunging late last week following the announcement of major telecommunications sector liberalisation.
Swiss-listed luxury goods group Richemont climbed 13 cents to R17,63 and London-listed brewer SABMiller strengthened 70 cents to R84,60. SABMiller’s intraday high of R85 was its best since June 2002.
Brand management group Barloworld was up 60 cents at R75,60 and services group Bidvest surged 1,12% or 65 cents to R58,75.
Media group Naspers picked up 1,59% or 80 cents to R51,25.
Barloworld touched a best-to-date R76,60 in morning trade, while Naspers’s intraday high of R51,99 was its strongest since November 2000.
Retailer Edcon climbed one rand to R179 after trading at a lifetime high of R180. Massmart rallied 1,35% or 49 cents to R36,75 — also a lifetime high.
On the financial front, London-listed Old Mutual firmed six cents to R13,01. Its intraday high of R13,04 was its strongest since January last year.
Niche banking group Investec plc jumped 1,52% or R1,85 to R123,80.
Banking group Absa added 1,03% or 60 cents to R58,90 after earlier trading at a lifetime high of R59,05. Nedcor was 40 cents in the black at R59,40 despite going ex-dividend of 44 cents per share (cps).
Investment company Remgro soared 1,12% or 91 cents to R82 after earlier trading at a lifetime high of R82,50.
On the JSE’s downside, Standard Bank slipped 25 cents to R45,75 after it went ex-dividend of 50,5 cps.
Liberty Group, which went ex-dividend of 162 cps, tumbled 2,33% or R1,28 to R53,55.
Sanlam slumped five cents to R9,86.
Retailer Woolies retreated 2,98% or 25 cents to R8,15, Truworths lost 1,28% or 15 cents to R11,60 and Nu Clicks weakened 1,27% or 10 cents to R7,80.
Woolies went ex-dividend of 25,5 cps on Monday, while Truworths went ex-dividend of 27 cps. — I-Net Bridge