The JSE was in positive territory just before noon on Friday, boosted by firmer world markets and basket buying ahead of next Thursday’s futures close-out. The market was extremely quiet, however, with only R1,5-billion-worth of shares changing hands.
Bt 11.48am, the all-share index added 0,44%. Resources rose 0,59%, with the gold- and platinum-mining indices gaining 0,33% and 0,52% respectively. Industrials climbed 0,19%, financials firmed 0,58% and the banks index was 0,82% in the black.
The rand was bid at 6,99 per dollar from 6,97 when the JSE closed on Thursday, while gold was quoted at $625,75 a troy ounce from $627,40/oz at the JSE’s last close.
“Volume is very thin and because of that it is easy to push the market up,” a dealer said. “Ahead of the futures close-out, there is some buying going through.”
She added that world markets were all looking better and the JSE was garnering support from this.
In morning trade, petrochemicals group Sasol strengthened 1,25% or R3,07 to R248,97.
Global resources group BHP Billiton was 98 cents better at R130,90 and Anglo American added R1,32 to R343,39.
Gold Fields gained 61 cents to R126,59. DRDGOLD soared 6,62% or 45 cents to R7,25 and Western Areas rallied 2,23% or 96 cents to R44,01.
AngloPlat picked up R3,50 to R808 and Impala improved R1,05 to R177,30.
Kumba Iron Ore was 1,85% or R2 stronger at R110.
After roaring to record highs in recent days, African Rainbow Minerals dropped 7,44% or R6,99 to R87,01.
Among industrials, Swiss-listed luxury goods group Richemont retreated 32c to R38,88 but London-listed brewer SABMiller climbed 84 cents to R151,74.
SABMiller’s joint venture with China Resources Enterprise on Friday announced that it has agreed to acquire the brewing assets of Shanxi Yueshan Brewery Company for a cash consideration of $17,7-million.
Transport and logistics group Imperial ticked up 1,33% or R2 to R152 rand.
Telkom gained 1,13% or R1,50 to R134 and MTN Group was 55 cents higher at R78,80.
Retailer Foschni rang up 1,08% or 60 cents to R56,21 and Massmart rallied 1,47% or 95 cents to R65,45.
Hospital group Medi-Clinic, however, tumbled 2,67% or 65 cents to R23,70.
Illovo Sugar surrendered 2,14% or 42 cents to R19,24 and Tongaat-Hulett eased R1,10 to R12,60.
Tongaat shares rocketed over 8% on Thursday after the group released details of its plans to unbundle and list Hulett Aluminium separately on the JSE.
In terms of the planned transaction, the Tongaat-Hulett Group will separate into Tongaat-Hulett and Hulamin. The listing of Hulamin on the JSE will be followed immediately by the unbundling of the Tongaat Hulett Group of its 50% interest in Hulamin to all shareholders pro rata to their current shareholdings in the group.
Illovo shares were up 4,57% on Thursday.
On the financial front, London-listed Old Mutual was up 10 cents at R23,40, but Sanlam was 10 cents softer at R18,05.
Nedbank notched up 1,92% or R2,35 to R124,80, Standard Bank strengthened 80 cents to R88,30, FirstRand rose 13 cents to R20,56 and Absa added 70 cents to R118,20.
Specialist bank Investec was R1 in the black at R87. — I-Net Bridge