South African stocks remained weak at midday on Friday with resources dominating the losers’ board on profit-taking and lower base metal prices, traders said.
By noon, the all-share index was down 1,12%, weighed by a 2,13% drop in resources. The gold- and platinum-mining indices were off 0,53% and 0,97% respectively.
Banks lost 0,72% and financials weakened 0,33%, but industrials added 0,13%.
The rand was bid at 7,97 to the dollar from 7,93 when the JSE closed on Thursday, while gold was quoted at $902,45 a troy ounce from $905,55/oz at the JSE’s last close.
Traders said the market was mainly pressured by the weaker oil price, which is dragging down base metal prices such as copper, nickel and silver.
“There’s an underlying negative sentiment on emerging markets from foreign investors after JP Morgan asked its clients to cut their exposure on South Africa and Brazil,” said Drikus Combrinck, a trader at Cape Town-based PSG Konsult.
In addition, news that Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (Vale), a rumoured predator for Anglo American, says it is not negotiating the acquisition of “any company” sparked profit-taking among resources, traders said.
Anglo American rallied this week on reports that Vale was lining up cash to buy the London-listed resource giant.
“Vale makes clear regarding news published by the Brazilian press that it is not negotiating the acquisition of any company and it is not discussing with banks the financing of an acquisition,” the company said in statement posted on its website.
On the resource index, rumoured takeover target Anglo American was down R15, or 2,70%, at R541,01 and BHP Billiton fell 2,11%, or R6,52, to R301,98.
Sasol was down R15,08, or 3,19%, to R457,92 as the price of crude oil slid below the $134 per barrel level.
Gold miner AngloGold Ashanti edged down R2,51, or 1,02%, to R244, Gold Fields lost 14 cents to R87,36 but Harmony collected 50 cents to R91.
Among platinums, Anglo Platinum was off R30, or 2,08%, to R1 410, while Impala Platinum shed R2 to R308.
Industrial heavyweight Barloworld was up 14 cents at R85,04 and brewer SABMiller added R3, or 1,68%, to R182.
Among banks, Nedbank was up 58 cents to R91,70, but Absa fell 78 cents to R84,02 and Standard Bank weakened 79 cents, or 1,02%, to R76,56. — I-Net Bridge