The JSE was marginally higher at noon on Thursday in a muted session ahead of the interest-rates verdict later in the day.
At 12pm, the all-share index was up 0,29%. Resources gained 0,45%, the gold- and platinum-mining indices added 0,20% and 0,72% respectively. Industrials improved 0,20%, financials were up 0,11% and banks firmed 0,26%.
The rand was bid at 7,18 to the United States dollar from 7,19 when the JSE closed on Wednesday, while gold was quoted at $670,45 a troy ounce from $666,23 at the JSE’s last close.
“We are up modestly and I don’t expect us to fly too high until the interest-rate decision,” a Johannesburg-based trader said.
The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee announces its interest rate verdict just after 3pm this afternoon.
The trader added that miners rose marginally on the back of a slight recovery in metal prices.
Melbourne-based resources giant BHP Billiton gained 1,60%, or R2,90 to R183,70. The company said on Thursday that it is exploring for nickel deposits in four areas in the Philippines on top of its previously announced exploration activity in the country, Dow Jones Newswires reported.
However, rival Anglo American was off 80 cents to R420,20.
Platinum miner Lonmin fell R2,51 to R536. Just before the bourse opened, Lonmin said it will buy 10,8-million units in Wallbridge Mining Company for Can$0,60 per unit for a total consideration of Can$6,5-million, or US$6,1-million. This represents approximately 18% of the issued capital of Wallbridge.
Anglo Platinum was up R3 to R1Â 195,50 and Impala Platinum improved 1,12%, or R2,50, to R226,50.
Among gold counters, AngloGold Ashanti added 94 cents to R302, Harmony strengthened 1,08%, or R1,10, to R103 but Gold Fields eased 45 cents to R118,50.
Heavyweight industrial group Barloworld was up to R198,30, brewer SABMiller picked up R1,37 to R170,87 and consumer goods group Tiger Brands gained 80 cents to R180,30.
Banking group Standard Bank inched up 31 cents to R103,81 but Nedbank was off 48 cents to R143,02.
Media group Johncom added 10 cents to R105 but rival Naspers fell by the same margin to R189.
Retailer Woolworths advanced 1,01%, or 21 cents, to R20,92, New Clicks climbed 2,56%, or 40 cents, to R16 but JD Group weakened 62 cents to R76,39. — I-Net Bridge