South African stocks continued to climb in morning trade moving in line with firmer world markets. The JSE continued to be supported by pleasing gains in the resource and platinum sectors as well as in the financial and banking sectors.
Asian and European markets were firmer after picking up on positive sentiment from the US after the Dow closed nearly 11% higher on Tuesday.
By 11.57am, the JSE’s all-share index had gained 5,32%, supported by resources, which added 7,08%, platinum stocks, which were up 5,44% and gold miners, which rose 3,01%.
Banks gained 4,74%, financials were up 3,62% and industrials put on 4,56%.
The rand was bid at 10,27 to the dollar from 10,69 when the JSE closed on Tuesday, while gold was last quoted at $747,90 a troy ounce from $733,67/oz at the JSE’s last close.
Platinum was at $812,50/oz from Tuesday’s close of $809/oz. Brent crude was at $62,05 from its previous close of $60,29.
Traders said the strength in the local market was in line with the positive sentiment on markets globally.
“The weaker dollar is also helping commodity prices,” said a trader.
Traders also said that the dollar weakness against major currencies was also good news for equities.
Dow Jones Newswires reports that Japan’s stock market jumped 7,7% on Wednesday on hopes for an interest-rate cut and a strengthening yen, but other Asian markets were mixed on a volatile day as investors tried to anticipate the next big move. Hong Kong, which led a big surge in the region’s stocks Tuesday, ended up 0,8%.
European stocks maintained their opening rally. “There were a lot of early opportunities today which makes a change from recent sessions,” one trader says. Investors await the Fed’s interest rate decision at 6.15pm GMT, with a cut of 50 bps already priced into the market and several hoping for
75 bps.
London shares jumped, with the FTSE last trading 4,34% higher.
However, US stocks are expected to fall at the open, as investors consolidate gains from Tuesday’s rally. Ian Griffiths, trader at CMC Markets, calls the DJIA to open down 140 points at 8 925, and the S&P 500 down 22,5 at 918.
On the JSE, resources giant Anglo American added R7,10, or 8,89%, to R209,50 and BHP Billiton firmed R11,97, or 8,70%, to R149,50.
Petrochemical giant Sasol as up R12,29, or 5,15%, to R250,79.
ArcelorMittal (rose R7,46, or 8,99%, to R90,45, Kumba Iron Ore was up R9,17, or 8,08%, to R122,67 rand and Highveld Steel gained R3,20 or 5,63%, to 60 rand.
Among gold miners Harmony added R2,65, or 3,79%, to R72,50 and AngloGold Ashanti added R1,55, or 1,02%, to R153,55.
Gold Fields was up R2,95, or 5,44%, to R57,20. The miner earlier reported an 8% decline in attributable gold production to 798 000 ounces for the quarter ended September, with half the shortfall attributable to short term safety related rehabilitation in South Africa.
Earnings per share amounted to 18 SA cents from 144 cents in the June quarter and 63 cents in the September 2007 quarter.
Platinum miner Lonmin was up R12,12, or 7,16%, to R181,37, Anglo Platinum jumped R21,64, or 5,62%, to R406,54 and Impala Platinum firmed R5,06, or 5,14%, to R103,56.
Among other miners Exxaro added R5,90, or 10,77%, to R60,70 and African Rainbow Minerals added R5,61, or 5,39%, to R109,61.
Elsewhere on the JSE, brewer SABMiller put on R6,61, or 4,66%, to R148,31, TigerBrands added R8,39, or 6,99%, to R128,39, Remgro gained R3,70 rand, or 6,07%, to R64,70.
British American Tobacco, which listed on the JSE on Tuesday, was up R18,7, or 6,84%, to R293.
Banker Absa gained R4,90, or 5,47%, to R94,40 and First Rand added 62 cents, or 5,08%, to R12,82, Standard Bank (SBK).- I-Net Bridge