The JSE was in positive territory in noon trade on Thursday, helped by stronger European markets and higher commodity prices. It was another quiet morning and just over R2-billion worth of shares had changed hands.
By 12.03pm, the all share and all share industrial indices added 1,23% and 0,95% respectively. Resources rallied 1,88%, the gold mining index gained 0,91% and the platinum mining index bounced 0,51%. Financials firmed 0,33%, but the banks index was 1,04% in the red.
The rand was bid at 7,19 per dollar, little changed from when the JSE closed on Wednesday, but 10 cents stronger than its worst level for the morning. Gold was quoted at $624,85 a troy ounce from $619,85/oz at the JSE’s last close.
“We’ve got a better market. I expected it to be weaker this morning — Asian and US markets were down — but futures started off strong,” a dealer said.
He added that generally higher commodity prices were benefiting the JSE as were firmer European markets. The currency was quite a bit weaker earlier in the session and — as was not the case on Wednesday — this had helped the market at the time by lifting heavyweight dual-listed and resources stocks.
On the resources index, London-listed diversified resources group Anglo American advanced 2,01% or R5,75 to R291,75 and BHP Billiton was bolstered 2,25% or R3,01 to R137.
Petrochemicals group Sasol leaped 2,85% or R7,60 to R274,11.
Gold Fields gained 1,69% or R2,80 to R168,40 and AngloGold Ashanti strengthened R2,85 to R342,85, but Harmony lost 70 cents to R116,30.
AngloPlat jumped 3,47% or R25 to R745, but Impala weakened 1,15% or R15 to R1 285.
Mittal Steel was up 2,6% or R1,98 at a record high of R78, while coal and iron ore miner Kumba firmed 1,47% or R1,90 to R130,90 after touching its highest level of R132,50.
Swiss-listed luxury goods group Richemont rallied 2,28% or 72 cents to R32,32 and London-listed brewer SABMiller rose 2,35% or R2,93 at R127,70.
Hospital group Netcare was 1,98% or 19 cents better at R9,80 and media group Naspers notched up 1,71% or R2,01 to R119,50.
Retailer New Clicks rang up 2,16% or 19 cents to R9. Pick ‘n Pay was 1,24% or 35 cents stronger at R28,66, but Shoprite slumped 2,94% or 75 cents to R24,75.
City Lodge Hotels slid 1,98% or R1 to R49,50 and Sun International tumbled 2,27% or R2 to R86.
London-listed financial services group Old Mutual jumped 1,94% or 41 cents to R21,56.
Real estate company Liberty International surged to a high of R149,68 and was last quoted 3,17% or R4,54 in the black at R147,60.
Nedbank ticked 90 cents higher to R113,90, but Absa surrendered 2,09% or R2,14 to R100,30, Standard Bank shed 1,1% or 84 cents to R75,22 and FirstRand fell 10 cents to R16,90. – I-Net Bridge