The JSE Securities Exchange (JSE) was firmer in noon trade on Friday, lifted by the weaker rand and stronger world markets. It was a fairly quiet morning’s trade, with more interest in the Super 12 rugby than the market, dealers said.
By 11.55am, the all-share index was up 0,64%. Industrials and financials strengthened 0,85% and 0,7% respectively, while the banks index was 0,26% better. Resources climbed 0,39%, with the gold- and platinum-mining indices gaining 0,7% and 0,78% respectively.
The rand was quoted at R6,18 per dollar from R6,12 when the JSE closed on Thursday, while gold was quoted at $425,25 a troy ounce from $426,70/oz at the JSE’s last close.
“The rand weakened quite a bit early this morning, which is lending some strength to the market,” a dealer said.
He added that world markets were also stronger, which was further helping dual-listed stocks.
“It is very quiet,” he said. “While the rugby was going on, there was nothing going on here.”
On the JSE’s upside, BHP Billiton was 1,7% or R1,40 better at R83,90 and Anglo American inched up 40 cents to R146,40.
Gold-miner Gold Fields gained 1,52% or R1,04 to R69,60 and Harmony was 39 cents higher at R47,95.
AngloPlat added 1,07% or R2,50 to R237 and Impala improved R3,20 to R523.
Swiss-listed luxury goods group Richemont rallied 2,06% or 40 cents to R19,85 and pulp and paper producer Sappi jumped 1,01% or 75 cents to R75.
Mittal Steel leaped 2,41 or R1,42 to R60,40. Highveld Steel & Vanadium rocketed 6,9% or four rand to a best-to-date R62.
Cellular network operator MTN Group gained 1,77% or 78 cents to R44,79 and Telkom rose 1,53% or R1,60 to R106,40.
Media group Naspers was up 1,35% or 95 cents up to R71,50.
London-listed brewer SABMiller was 39 cents stronger at R95,40.
London-listed financial services group Old Mutual firmed 1,4% or 21 cents to R15,25. Sanlam, South Africa’s second-largest financial services group, strengthened 1,91% or 23 cents to R12,25.
Real-estate company Liberty International plc was 1,34% or R1,45 in the black at R110.
On the downside, petrochemicals group Sasol tumbled 2,18% or R3,48 to R155,90.
Junior miner Western Areas slumped 3,77% or one rand to R25,50.
Packaging group Nampak was 15 cents lower at R15,85. — I-Net Bridge