The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was awash with red in noon trade on Thursday, ignoring a softer rand to focus instead on global market weakness. Losses were widespread and decliners outnumbered advancers on the all-share index by more than two to one.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was weaker at midday on Monday on the back of a stronger rand and general lack of buying interest in the market. Volumes were extremely light — less than R400-million-worth of shares had changed hands.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was up marginally just before noon on Friday in a market that lacked major drivers. Volumes were extremely light as players awaited the release of United States jobs data at 3.30pm, with dealers saying that a better-than-expected report could spark buying interest on global bourses.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) forged to its highest level since May 2002 on Tuesday, spurred by offshore demand for resources stocks and general positive sentiment. Strength was most pronounced at the top end of the market, with advancers outnumbering decliners on the Top 40 index by almost four to one.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was slightly stronger in noon trade on Wednesday, with heavyweight resources stocks benefiting from higher precious metals prices. However, volumes were fairly light and the market lacked overall direction, dealers said.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was drifting in the red in noon trade on Tuesday, in line with weaker world markets. Dealers said the local bourse seemed to be biding its time ahead of the release of consumer inflation data on Wednesday and an announcement on interest rates the following day.