The JSE was flat at midday on Thursday, as players sat on the sidelines awaiting the result of the futures close-out, which was due to start at midday.
By 11.59am, the all-share index edged up 0,26%. The gold mining index climbed 2,19% and banks were 1,09% higher. Resources perked up 0,28% and the platinum mining index rose 0,68%. Industrials were 0,26% better and financials were flat (+0,18%).
The rand was bid at R7,06 to the dollar, unchanged from when the JSE closed on Wednesday, while gold was quoted at $727,45 a troy ounce from $723,20 at the JSE’s last close.
“The JSE will continue to trade sideways until the futures close-out at noon, but currently Europe markets are negative and Dow futures are off over 30 points, so we will probably pull back later during the day,” said a local equities trader.
In Europe, the United Kingdom’s FTSE 100 was 0,6% lower at 6 421,30 points, the Paris CAC 40 index lost 0,78% to 5 685,88 points and the German Composite DAX index pulled back 0,43% to 693,36 points.
At midday on the JSE, Anglo American recovered R2,25 to R448,50, but BHP Billiton gave up R2,32, or 1%, to R229,42.
Sasol rose R1,76 to R325,75.
Gold miner AngloGold Ashanti was R1,17 better at R331,50, while Gold Fields added R4,91, or 3,96%, to R128,90.
Among platinum stocks, Anglo Platinum lifted R17, or 1,68%, to R1 027 and Lonmin edged up R2,20 to R467.
Brewer SABMiller was up R4,05, or 2,07%, to R199,75.
Retailer Mr Price rose 1,33%, or 35 cents, to R26,60, and JD Group lost 2,37%, or R1,46, to R60,05.
Hotel group Sun International retreated two rand, or 1,3%, to R152.
In the telecommunications sector, fixed-line operator Telkom collected R2,60, or 1,48%, to R178,30, but mobile network operator MTN Group was unchanged from its close on Wednesday, trading at R109,80.
Nedbank advanced R1,80, or 1,43%, to R127,80 and Standard Bank edged up R1,25, or 1,25%, to R101,25.
In real estate, Liberty International retreated R2,78, or 1,69%, to R161,32. — I-Net Bridge