The JSE scraped back into the black as firmer metal prices outweighed a firmer rand, creating support for the local bourse.
By noon, the all-share index was 0,28% better, as the gold mining index advanced 1,12%. Resources were up 0,87% and the platinum mining index was 0,18% higher.
However, industrials were off 0,15%, while financials fell 0,32% and banks gave up 0,52%.
The rand was bid at 6,71 to the US dollar from 6,74 when the JSE closed on Friday, while gold was quoted at $756,05 a troy ounce from $749,05oz at the JSE’s last close. Platinum was slightly off its new high of $1 427,50, at 1 425,50.
“The market is up on the back of stronger base and precious metals, but it’s a quiet day with light volumes being traded,” said a local equities trader.
Explaining the impact of a strong rand on the JSE, the trader said that the movement in metal prices was much greater than the movement in the rand, which was actually adding support to the market.
Earlier, the rand was weighing on the JSE, causing the bourse to dip into negative territory after opening over 100 points higher than Friday’s close.
By midday on the JSE, gold miner AngloGold Ashanti had edged up R2,79 to R305,59, while Goldfields recovered R1,95, or 1,54%, to R128,35 and Harmony perked up 18 cents to R69.
Resources stock Anglo American added R7,01, or 1,50%, to R474,51 and Melbourne-based BHP Billiton was R2,77, or 1,09% firmer, at R257.05. However, petrochemical group Sasol was R2,45 lower at R333,05.
In the platinum mining sector, Anglo Platinum was R18, or 1,59% higher, at R1 148 and Lonmin collected R10,09, or 2,01%, to R511. However, Impala Platinum pulled back R2 to R256 and Aquarius Platinum was off R5,58, or 2,23%, at R245,01.
Among industrial stocks, brewer SABMiller retreated R3,17, or 1,56%, to R199,50. It said earlier that its financial performance for the first six months remains in line with management’s expectations.
In a trading update, the brewing giant said it has continued its strong start to the year, with organic growth in lager volumes of 11% for the six months to September 2007.
Barloworld was R3, or 2,38% higher, at R129.
Construction group Aveng was down R1,73, or 2,75%, to R61,27 but Group Five climbed R1,49, or 2,44%, to R62,50.
In the telecommunications sector, MTN Group added 14 cents to R113,69 and Telkom rose R2,69, or 1,5%, to R181,89.
Among banks and financial stocks, Nedbank lost 95 cents to R137,25 and Standard Bank retreated 19 cents to R107,72. – I-Net Bridge