The JSE once again climbed to a new high, breaking the 18 000 mark for the first time ever. Meanwhile, derivatives tracked world markets higher while the rand was range bound against the dollar in dull trade with bonds going softer ahead of abridged trade on Friday.
The JSE burst through the 18 000 level after being pushed up during the closing auction. Positive sentiment towards equities and a higher gold price contributed to the JSE’s strength.
The all-share index closed 0,81% higher at a record 18 042,09. Resources rose 0,69%, the gold-mining index jumped 3,52% and the platinum-mining index picked up 1,21%.
Industrials climbed 1,09%, while the financial and banks indices firmed 0,58% and 1,08% respectively.
The rand was bid at R6,36 per dollar, little changed from when the JSE closed on Wednesday, while gold was quoted at $498,25 a troy ounce from $491,30/oz at the JSE’s last close.
On the all-share index, 89 shares were up, 32 were unchanged and 42 were down. There were 32 advancers on the Top 40 index and eight decliners, while one counter closed flat. — I-Net Bridge