The JSE Securities Exchange continued to break new ground on Monday, led by heavyweight resources stocks. However, with markets in the United Kingdom and United States closed, the gains came on extremely light volumes. By 11.51am, the all share index added 0,71%. Resources rallied 1,23%, the gold mining index jumped 2,9% and the platinum mining index climbed 0,53%.
Brazilian Rubens Barrichello seized a rare podium finish on Sunday for Ferrari in this disappointing season for the once-serial champions and then predicted a revival in fortunes for formula one’s most famous stable. The Brazilian came home behind the victorious Fernando Alonso after an exciting finish to the European Grand Prix.
Umpires have been taking plenty of verbal abuse at the French Open. Damien Steiner of Argentina, the chair umpire for the match on Sunday between Rafael Nadal and Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean, was jeered long and loudly, first by Grosjean, then by the centre court crowd.
A double suicide attack killed at least 25 people south of Baghdad on Monday as insurgents struck back against a massive operation by Iraq to try to restore security in the capital. ”We have 25 killed and 100 wounded,” said Hilla hospital director Mohammed Dhia, adding that all the casualties were former police commandos.
Rail, road and freight transport group Super Group lifted headline earnings per share by 5% from 123,8 cents to 129,5 cents for the 12 months ended March. It is the 18th consecutive year that the group has delivered solid growth from operations. Revenue increased 19% to R8,3-billion.
A bicycle bomb aimed at a vehicle carrying Nao-led peacekeepers exploded on Monday east of the Afghan capital Kabul, wounding at least seven Afghan civilians, some seriously, police and officials said. The remote-controlled bomb was set on a bicycle left on the side of the main road from Kabul to the eastern city of Jalalabad and detonated at about 9.30am.
South African financial services group Alexander Forbes on Monday reported a 16% decline in headline earnings per share to 113 cents for the year ended March 31, from 135 cents a year ago. Excluding non-recurring restructuring costs, headline earnings per share were 132 cents, down 2% from 135 cents a year earlier.
South African’s biggest retail bank, Absa — in which British banking group Barclays is acquiring a 60% stake — boosted headline earnings by 23,3% from R4,447-billion to R5,484-billion for the year to the end of March. This translated into headline earnings per share of 841 cents, which represents a 22,1% increase on last year’s 688,5 cents.
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer blasted his batsmen on Sunday after the West Indies sealed a convincing 276-run victory with more than a day to spare, calling the team’s first innings performance ”spineless”. Woolmer said the catalyst for the defeat was Pakistan being bowled out for 144 in their first innings.
Dan Wheldon overcame an electrifying run by Danica Patrick and ended 35 years of fabled Andretti bad luck to win the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. Wheldon took team co-owner Michael Andretti with him to Victory Lane, ending years of frustration for the Andretti family, which last got a taste of the Indy winner’s jug of milk when Michael’s father, Mario, won in 1969.