The JSE was firmer in noon trade on Tuesday, buoyed by positive world markets. There was very little fresh news to give the bourse direction and all eyes were on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announcement on United States interest rates due at 8.15pm.
By 12.03pm, the all-share and all-share industrial indices added 0,63% and 0,76% respectively. The financial and resources indices both rose 0,6%. The platinum-mining index picked up 1,21% and the banks index was bolstered 1,07%, while the gold mining index was flat (-0,04%).
The rand was bid at 6,79 per dollar from 6,78 when the JSE closed on Monday, while gold was quoted at $644,45 a troy ounce from $651,55/oz at the JSE’s last close.
“Our market is firmer. The Nikkei and Hang Seng were up this morning and European markets are stronger and we’re just following that,” a dealer said.
“It is very quiet and nothing is happening in this market. Everyone is waiting for the Fed [FOMC] tonight,” she added.
The dealer said that a lot of people were also away due to the Women’s Day holiday on Wednesday.
On the JSE’s upside, London-listed Anglo American climbed R1 to R297 and BHP Billiton inched up 34c to R130,50.
Petrochemicals group Sasol strengthened 2,21% or R5,58 to R257,98.
Coal and iron ore miner Kumba leaped 1,72% or R2,07 to R122,70. Kumba said on Tuesday that after successful conclusion of strike action at the company in just on a week, production was unlikely to be affected for the second half.
Impala Platinum jumped 1,29% or R16,50 to R1Â 296,50 and AngloPlat advanced R6,80 to R762.
AngloGold Ashanti gained 1,47% or R4,96 to R342,98.
Mittal Steel was 1,67% or R1,20 stronger at R73,20.
Swiss-listed luxury goods group Richemont rose 12c to R30,42 and London-listed brewer SABMiller was 90c better at R133,90.
Transport and logistics group Imperial rallied 1,91% or R2,44 to R129,94.
Hospital group Netcare was up 2,9% or 29c to R10,29.
Cellular network operator MTN Group jumped 2,33% or R1,21 to R53,20 and Telkom gained 1% or R1,32 to R133,39.
Media group Naspers bounced 1,51% or R1,73 to R116,25.
London-listed financial services group Old Mutual firmed 17c to R20,55. Liberty Group gained 49c to R71,99.
Absa added 1,86% or R1,79 to R97,79 and Nedbank notched up 1,43% or R1,50 to R106,50. Standard Bank was up 65c at R74,15 and FirstRand firmed 10c to R16,30.
On the market’s downside, Harmony Gold dropped 1,69% or R1,59 to R92,40 and Gold Fields eased 74c to R144,26.
Junior miner Western Areas dropped 3,33% or R1,50 to R43,50.
Retailer Shoprite shed 1,05% or 25c to R23,50 and New Clicks lost 9c to R10,21.
London-listed IT group Didata was 1,64% or 7c softer at R4,20. — I-Net Bridge