The JSE charted new territory on Tuesday morning when higher commodity prices and stronger Asian markets helped push it ahead on low volumes. Sentiment was positive and a stronger rand only tempered the bourse’s gains slightly.
By 11.41am, the all-share index was up 0,78% at 25 110,72. It earlier touched a record high of 25 173,869. Resources rallied 0,91%, with the gold and platinum mining indices jumping 1,19% and 1,21% respectively. Industrials improved 0,61% and financials firmed 0,84%, while the banks index was 0,66% in the black.
The rand was bid at 6,92 per dollar from 6,98 when the JSE closed on Friday, while gold was quoted at $640,35 a troy ounce from $634,40/oz at the JSE’s last close.
A dealer said that while the JSE was stronger, its gains had come on very thin volumes.
“It is very volatile. It was up 300 points at one stage on the futures side,” he continued.
“Commodity prices are helping on the resources side. That’s where the underpin is coming from. The rand is powering ahead which is softening that one a bit.”
The dealer said that the JSE was also being helped by very strong Asian markets. The Hang Seng was up 345 points.
Thirty-five of the 41 shares on the top 40 index were stronger, he noted. Sentiment was just generally positive, the dealer concluded.
On the resources index, London-listed Anglo American added 1,02% or R3,50 to R345,50. BHP Billiton was 1,01% or R1,30 better at R130,25.
AngloGold Ashanti advanced 1,82% or R6,01 to R336, Gold Fields gained R1,20 to R133,95 and Harmony was 70 cents higher at R111,90.
Impala Platinum leaped 1,74% or R3,20 to R187,20.
Kumba Iron Ore was up 2,47% or R2,75 at R114 and Exxaro firmed 1,14% or 64 cents to R56,64.
Petrochemicals group Sasol, however, dipped 39 cents to R258,40.
Among industrials, Swiss-listed luxury goods group Richemont rallied 2,05% or 84 cents to R41,74. London-listed brewer SABMiller strengthened R1,17 to R161,61.
Brand management group Barloworld was bolstered 1,96% or R3,21 to R167,21 after trading at a lifetime high of R170,01.
Services group Bidvest was up 1,05% or R1,40 at R135,20 and transport and logistics group Imperial gained R1,21 to R165,20.
Hospital group Netcare, which earlier traded at a record high of R14,25, was 1,3% or 18 cents to the good at R13,99.
Telkom rang up 1,21% or R1,71 at R143,20, but MTN Group was off 35 cents at R84,95.
Media group Naspers was 20 cents in the red at R165,80, well off its best R168,78 reached in early trade.
Retailer Pick ‘n Pay perked up 1,66% or 55 cents to R33,65 and Edcon strengthened 1,77% or 69 cents to R39,70, but Woolworths weakened 1,39% or 25 cents to R17,75.
On the financial front, London-listed Old Mutual firmed 1,09% or 26 cents to R24,16. Sanlam roared ahead 2,62% or 48 cents to R18,78.
Specialist bank Investec was 1,75% or R1,57 in the black at R91,20.
Standard Bank was 80 cents stronger at R95,30 and FirstRand rose 17 cents to R22,37. Absa added 90 cents to R126, but Nedbank eased 28 cents to R133,22. – I-Net Bridge