Alison Maltz

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was stronger in noon trade on Thursday, taking succour from the rand, which was weaker on offshore dollar buying. Dealers said the afternoon’s futures closeout was likely to be a quiet one, with many players having already gone on holiday.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa ticked up at the opening on Monday after world market sentiment was boosted by news of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s capture. Gains were pared by gold stocks, which were under pressure on the back of a softer bullion price and a slightly stronger rand.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was flat in noon trade on Thursday in a market that was quiet ahead of the decision on interest rates by the South African Reserve Bank monetary policy committee due just after 3pm. Gold stocks dominated the market’s downside

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was weaker, but near its intraday best level, at midday on Monday, helped by a weakening rand and a higher gold price, but hindered by softer world markets. Volumes were fairly light. The rand was trading at R6,33, little changed from when the JSE closed on Friday.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was weaker in noon trade on Thursday on the back of a strong rand and futures-related selling. Platinum stocks were particularly hard hit after a profit warning by AngloPlat before the opening. The rand was trading at R6,20 per dollar.

The South African rand continued to show strength against major currencies in late morning trade on Wednesday after testing the 6.30 per dollar level on Tuesday evening for the first time since February 2000.

Shares in cellular network operator MTN Group touched a new three-year high on Tuesday as the market warmed to the group’s better-than-expected results released after the close on Monday.

While South African retailers this Christmas season can expect an increase in sales volumes, lower price increases and even price decreases will likely see turnover increase at a much slower rate than in 2002. While total turnover in the retail sector increased by 13,4% in 2002, an increase of 5,3% is likely this year, a new survey found.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was flat just before noon on Friday after a lacklustre morning. Dealers said that the market was characterised by lack of interest and that after the JSE’s sharp fall on Thursday following the bomb blasts in Istanbul, people were taking to the sidelines.

The strong rand pulled the rug up from under the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa on Wednesday, sending stocks tumbling, with those at the top end of the market being hardest hit. While gold and platinum counters were boosted by higher precious metals prices, the rampant currency severely pared their gains.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa was awash with red at midday on Monday, with weak world markets and a robust rand taking their toll on local stocks. While weakness was most pronounced on the Top 40 index, selling was seen almost across the board.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) retreated like a fox chased by a pack of hounds on Thursday morning as weak world markets and a strong rand took their toll. Basket-selling by futures players added to the bourse’s weakness. At 12.01pm, the all-share and all-share industrial indices were down 1,35% and 1,01% respectively.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa was roaring ahead in noon trade on Friday, with a weaker rand giving heavyweight dual-listed and resources stocks a boost. Buying at the top end of the market filtered through to the rest and
advancers outnumbered decliners on the all share index by about nine to one.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was drifting in the red just before noon on Thursday, on lack of buying interest ahead of the South African Reserve Bank monetary policy committee’s decision on interest rates. Volumes were very light, with less than R400-million-worth of shares changing hands.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was unable to hold on to early gains on Tuesday, instead heading south on the back of weaker European markets and profit taking after four straight days of gains. Weakness was most pronounced at the top end of the market.

Monday blues failed to dampen spirits on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE), with the all-share index up for the fourth straight day on the back of a slightly weaker rand and a strong performance by heavyweight dual-listed stocks on positive offshore markets.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa was powering ahead in noon trade on Thursday, led by resources stocks, which were fuelled by strong performances offshore and a high platinum price. Buying filtered through to the rest of the market, with advancers outnumbering decliners on the all-share index.

Stronger European markets and a positive close on the Dow overnight helped the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) bounce into the black on Wednesday, after being oversold on Tuesday. Volumes remained light, however, with a fair portion of the buying in the market coming from futures players.

The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) was in positive territory in noon trade on Friday, propelled by heavyweight dual-listed stocks, which were up offshore. However, as has been the case in recent days, volumes were light, with no real conviction behind the buying.