The JSE held onto its gains at midday on Wednesday amid positive world markets.
By 12pm, the all-share index had gained 0,40%, thanks to a 0,58% rise in the industrial index and a 0,47% increase in the resources index. The platinum-mining index was up 0,36%, but the gold-mining index gave up 0,37%.
Financials inched up 0,02%, but the banks index was down 0,25%.
The rand was bid at 7,1113 per dollar from 7,1063 when the JSE closed on Tuesday, while gold was quoted at $637,95 a troy ounce from $640,80/oz at the JSE’s last close.
“There’s an underlying bullish sentiment in the market after the United States market closed higher on Tuesday,” a local dealer said.
The London market was also in positive territory and Tokyo stocks closed with a gain of 220,9 points on Wednesday.
Global resources giant Anglo American was up R1,89 to R330,09 and BHP Billiton gained 75c to R132,50.
Anglo Gold Ashanti slipped 1,10% or R3,70 to R333,80 and Harmony shed 10c to R120,90. However, Gold Fields edged up 15c to R129,40.
Among the platinum stocks, Anglo Platinum was R6,74 better at R790 while Impala Platinum improved by 15c to R170,15.
Synthetics fuels group Sasol was R1,50 stronger at R244,50.
Kumba Iron Ore gained 50c to R118,50.
Among the industrials, brand management group Barloworld added 2,05% or R3 to R149,01. Richemont was 25c better at R38,35.
Elsewhere on the JSE, pharmaceutical group Aspen added 1,44% or 48c to R33,88.
Steel maker Mittal Steel was up 1,28% or R1,15 to R91,15 and Sappi added 84c to R111.
Among banks, Standard Bank was down 20c at R88, FirstRand lost 3c to R19,52 and Absa weakened R1,05 to R116. London-listed insurance giant Old Mutual gave up 19c to R23,37. — I-Net Bridge