The JSE ended on a bearish note on Monday, dragged down by a stronger rand, profit-taking and lack of impetus from New York which was closed for a holiday.
Gold stocks shone, however, boosted by a rampant bullion price.
The all share index finished 1,29% weaker at 18 328,7 — well off its record high of 18 696,84 reached in opening trade. Industrials and financials fell 2,06% and 1,54% respectively, while the banks index was 1,96% in the red.
Resources eased 0,36% and the platinum mining index slid 1,74%, but the gold mining index jumped 2,5%.
The rand was bid at 5,97 per dollar from 6,03 when the JSE closed on Friday, while gold was quoted at $561,85 a troy ounce from $547,90/oz at the JSE’s last close.
Supported by fund buying, gold earlier touched a 25-year high of 562,45/oz.
On the all share index, 84 shares were down, 27 were unchanged and 50 were up. There were 35 decliners on the Top 40 index and only six advancers. – I-Net Bridge