The JSE was in positive territory just before noon on Wednesday lifted by bargain hunting after three days of losses. Volumes were fairly light, however, as players adopted a cautious approach ahead of Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel’s Budget speech at 2pm. At 11.51am, the all-share index added 0,95%.

The JSE was a sea of red at noon on Tuesday after lower commodity prices sparked a widespread sell off. Decliners outnumbered advancers on the all share index by more than two to one. By noon, the all share index weakened 0,77%. Resources retreated 1,16%, with the gold and platinum mining indices dropping 3,36% and 3,04% respectively.

The JSE was back in positive territory in noon trade on Thursday, lifted by a rebound in the gold price and stronger world markets. A firmer rand pared the bourse’s gains, however. By 11.58am, the all-share index added 0,13% and the all-share industrial index inched 0,07% higher.

JSE went down like a lead balloon on Wednesday morning after a oil-triggered sell off in commodities overnight sparked aggressive profit-taking in heavyweight resources stocks. Weaker world markets aggravated matters. By 12.01pm, the all share index slipped 1,69%. Resources slumped 3,01%, with the gold and platinum mining indices plunging 3,94% and 4,34% respectively.

The JSE was weaker in noon trade on Tuesday after futures-related selling forced it to surrender gains seen earlier in the day. Derivatives players were engaged in both hedging and profit-taking activity, traders said. By 11.54am, the all-share and all-share industrial indices shed 0,97% and 0,45% respectively.

The JSE was back in the black at midday on Monday helped by a weakening in the rand. Firmer world markets were also helping the bourse, dealers said. By 12.01pm, the all share and all share industrial indices added 0,65% and 0,45% respectively.

The JSE was deep in the red and back below the 20 000 level just before noon on Friday after weakness on United States markets overnight triggered the profit taking that had been anticipated following the bourse’s phenomenal run in recent days. Losses were seen across the board.

The bulls continued to rampage on the JSE on Thursday, taking the bourse to yet another record high following its historic break Wednesday above the 20&mnsp;000 level. A softer rand, higher precious metals prices, firmer United States markets overnight and overwhelmingly positive sentiment towards local equities all contributed to the JSE’s strength.

The JSE overcame a weaker opening to roar to a record high on Wednesday morning, led by rampant resources stocks. Strength spread to the rest of the market and advancers outnumbered decliners on the all-share index by almost three to one. By 12.02pm, the all-share index was up 0,99% at 19 941,26.