The JSE was in positive territory at midday on Friday, trading 169 points in the black.
The resource index was driving the market after Anglo American released good results on Friday.
At 12.06pm, the JSE all-share index had gained 0,61%, with the resources adding 1,09% and platinum climbing 0,77%. The gold mining index was 0,35% better.
Industrials advanced 0,54%. The financial and banks indices eased 0,29% and 0,35% respectively.
The rand was bid at 7,04 to the US dollar from 7,10 when the JSE closed on Thursday, while gold was quoted at $666,30 a troy ounce from $663,70/oz quoted at the JSE’s last close.
“We are up in the green which is nice to see, and until US data is released later today, we will be relatively flat,” said a Johannesburg-based trader, and added that the world will be looking to the release of United States data later on Friday to find direction.
Non-farm payroll data in the US is expected to be released at 2.30pm South African time.
At noon, Anglo American shot up R10,24, or 2,56% to R410,05, and BHP Billiton added 0,96 cents, to R202,47. Petrochemical giant Sasol eased 50 cents to R262.
Mining giant Anglo American on Friday reported a 22% increase in underlying earnings to a record $3,1-billion for the six months ended June.
Underlying earnings per share were up 28,2% from $1,70 in H1 2006 to $2,18.
Operating profit was 19% higher than the corresponding period last year at $5,5-billion and EBITDA was up 12% at a record $6,6-billion.
Among gold miners, Anglogold Ashanti recovered R1,50 to R294.
Anglo Platinum was R2 higher, or 0,22% to R920. Lonmin climbed R3,42, or 0,72% to R479,60, but Aquarius Platinum fell R4, or 1,96% to R200.
Paper maker Mondi was 95 cents better at R65,25 and Sappi soared R2,25, or 2,04% to R112.50.
Netcare added 11 cents, or 0,89% to R12,51 and Medi-Clinic eased 41 cents, or 1,81% to R22,20.
Massmart was R2 higher, or 2,40% at R85,50, but Woolworths Holdings eased 21 cents, or 1,08% to R19,30. Woolworths said on Friday that its headline earnings per share and earnings per share for the year ended June will be between 20% and 30%
higher than the previous year.
Retailer Lewis added R2, or 3,39% to R61, but JD Group eased 80 cents, or 1,15% to R69.
Telkom strengthened 50 cents to R162 and MTN collected R2,08, or 2,13% to R99,65.
In banks, Nedbank eased 25 cents to R133,75 and Standard Bank dipped ten cents to R100,50. Absa collected R1 to R132. – I-Net Bridge