The JSE raced to a record high on Friday morning when resources stocks were boosted by higher precious metals prices. Stronger world markets added to the positive picture.
By 12.02pm, the all-share index was up 1,16% at 17 488,16, having earlier reached a record high of 17 540,08. Resources rallied 2,3%, with the gold- and platinum-mining indices jumping 2,11% and 2,62% respectively. Industrials climbed 0,72%. Financials dipped 0,05%, however, and the banks index was 0,55% in the red.
The rand was bid at R6,71 per dollar from R6,70 when the JSE closed on Friday, while gold was quoted at $487 a troy ounce from $485,30/oz at the JSE’s last close.
The all-share index earlier touched a record high of 17 540,08.
Gold traded at a best level in almost 18 years of $488,65/oz on Friday morning.
“The market is looking very strong. It has come off its earlier highs, but there is a lot of upward momentum in the market and we are seeing strength across most sectors,” a dealer said.
She continued that the gold price was looking rosy and world markets were firmer.
Sentiment on the JSE was very positive.
In morning trade, London-listed diversified resources group Anglo American advanced 2,26% or R4,72 to R213,12. It earlier traded at a best level since February 2002 of R215.
BHP Billiton was 1,72% or R1,70 better at R100,80.
Gold Fields gained 2,6% or R2,60 to R102,60 and Harmony was 2,72% or R2,31 to R87,31. Gold Fields and Harmony earlier traded at 13-month highs of R103,36 and R87,80 respectively.
AngloGold Ashanti strengthened R1,50 to R294,50.
Junior miner Western Areas rocketed 9,23% or R2,40 to R28,40. It was announced on Thursday that Gill Marcus, a former deputy finance minister and deputy South African Reserve Bank governor, had been appointed executive chairperson of the company.
AngloPlat strengthened 3,35% or R15,99 to R494 and Impala leaped 2,51% or 22 cents to R898. AngloPlat’s intraday high of R496,90 was its best since May 2002.
Petrochemicals group Sasol was up 2,95% or R6,55 to R228,55.
On the all-share industrial index, Swiss-listed luxury-goods group Richemont rose 1,62% or 43 cents to R27,01, having earlier traded at a best level since April 2002 of R27,24.
Food group Tiger Brands roared ahead 1,6% or R2,19 to R138,99.
Cellular network operator MTN Group bounced 1,86% or R1,05 to R57,50 and Telkom gained 1,09% or R1,51 to R140,01.
Cement producer PPC, which was 1,41% or R4,50 in the black at R323,50, earlier traded at a best-to-date R324.
Retailer Foschini firmed 2,11% or 95 cents to R46 and Truworths jumped 2,49% or 50 cents to R20,60.
Services group Bidvest, however, shed 80 cents to R93,70.
London-listed financial-services group Old Mutual was 15 cents in the black at R17.
Sanlam was eight cents stronger at R13,38.
Nedbank was 1,17% or R1,07 better at R92,82.
FirstRand, however, fell 1,5% or 25 cents to R16,45 and Standard Bank was 30 cents softer at R70,50. — I-Net Bridge