The JSE Securities Exchange (JSE) remained firm at midday on Thursday as the weak rand boosted resources and mining stocks.
Traders said the market was waiting for the announcement on interest rates following the conclusion of the Reserve Bank monetary policy committee’s two-day meeting, expected at about 3.30pm local time. All economists surveyed by I-Net Bridge expect no change in interest rates.
By noon, the all-share index had added 0,66% and industrials were up 0,23%. Resources jumped 1,42%, the gold-mining index was up 1,22% and the platinum-mining index collected 2,25%. Financials were up 0,16%, but the banks index was down 0,31%
The rand was quoted at R6,84 per dollar — 16 cents weaker than when the JSE closed on Wednesday — while gold was quoted at $423,35 a troy ounce, from $425,00/oz at the JSE’s last close.
The weaker rand was boosting resources and gold and platinum stocks, traders said, but many players were eyeing the interest-rate decision.
London-listed resources group Anglo American added 320 cents to R164 and BHP Billiton was up 90 cents to R83,60.
Petrochemicals group Sasol was 95 cents higher at R172,70 and pulp and paper producer Sappi advanced 125 cents to R70,50.
Swiss luxury goods group Richemont advanced 41 cents, or 1,87%, to R22,40, but was off its earlier high of R22,50.
The group earlier on Thursday reported a 33% increase in earnings per unit for the year ended March 31 to €1,588 from €1,193 a year ago.
The board has recommended the payment of a total dividend of €1 per unit — comprising the regular dividend of €0,50 per unit and a special dividend funded from the proceeds of the liquidation of the British American Tobacco preference shareholding of €0,50 per unit.
In rand terms, basic earnings per depositary receipt amounted to 126 cents — a 25% rise from a year ago and in line with expectations.
Richemont reported a 10% rise in sales to €3,717-billion, while operating profit was up 71% to €505-million. The group reported a 33% rise in net profit to €881-million.
Among gold-miners, AngloGold Ashanti was steady at R225. However, Harmony was up 51 cents to R49,51 and Gold Fields added 170 cents to R70,30.
AngloPlat was 955 cents, or 3,53%, higher at R280, while Impala Platinum was R11 better at R574.
Brewer SABMiller was up 120 cents to R105,20, but brand-management company Barloworld was down R1,40 to R88,50.
Among banks and financials, Absa was 30 cents firmer at R83,30 and Nedbank collected 44 cents to R77,94.
However, Old Mutual plc was down three cents to R14,39, while Sanlam was 15 cents stronger at R11,25. — I-Net Bridge