The gold mining index added some cheer to the JSE ahead of Christmas celebrations, helping the bourse to close 0,59% firmer on Monday. The JSE closed at midday ahead of the two-day Christmas holiday and will reopen on Thursday.
The gold mining index ended 2,95% higher, while resources added 0,81% and the platinum mining index recovered 0,62%. Industrials rose 0,87%, but banks pulled back 0,12% and financials lost 0,48%
“The volumes have been fairly light today and nothing really exciting has happened. The JSE is up because world markets are looking a lot better,” said a local equities trader.
The rand was bid at 6,95 to the US dollar, from 7,01 when the JSE closed on Friday, while gold was quoted at $811,35 a troy ounce from $810,70/oz at the JSE’s last close.
Among resource stocks on the JSE, Melbourne-based BHP Billiton shed 99 cents to R214. It was reported that the UK Takeover Panel has given BHP Billiton, the world’s largest resources group, until February 6 to either make a formal offer for the world’s third-largest resource group, Rio Tinto, or back-off.
It has been more than a month since BHP Billiton made its intention to create a $400-billion resources super major public, but no formal offer has yet been made.
Anglo American added R6,99, or 1,68%, to R423,49 and Sasol was up R1,40 to R349,40.
Gold miner AngloGold Ashanti lifted R7,43, or 2,53%, to R300,99 and Goldfields perked up R3,09, or 3,13%, to R101,90.
Anglo Platinum was unchanged at R1 050 and Impala Platinum recovered R3,10, or 1,3%, to R242,10.
Among industrial stocks, brewer SABMiller collected R4,96, or 2,61%, to R194,96 and Swiss-based luxury goods group Richemont advanced R1, or 2,14%, to R47,80.
In the banks sector, Absa lost R1,95, or 1,75%, to R109,55, Standard Bank inched up 50 cents to R102,50 and Nedbank retreated R1,60, or 1,17%, to R135,30. – I-Net Bridge